Sculpture found buried in SF yard might have ties to famed artist
A surprising discovery was made in a San Francisco yard when a 150-pound stone statue was unearthed during landscaping work. The statue, which features an intricately detailed face carved into the stone, may have ties to Ralph Stackpole, a prominent local artist.
The sculpture was found by Greg Gatwood in his yard in the Russian Hill neighborhood. After consulting with other artists, Judy Gittelsohn, an artist and Gatwood's partner, suspects that the sculpture might be the work of Ralph Stackpole, who was known for his teachings at the California School of Fine Arts, now the San Francisco Art Institute.
However, determining the artist behind the sculpture is a difficult task, especially without a signature or historical documentation. Bruce Marwick, a member of the Sacramento Art Deco Society, notes that it is challenging to authenticate the piece without concrete evidence. While the Stackpole influence is apparent, it is possible that the sculpture was created by one of his students.