A rather ordinary landscaping endeavor in San Francisco has transformed into a puzzling art discovery after a man dug up a limestone sculpture in his backyard, potentially linked to the city’s rich Art Deco heritage.
Greg Gatwood and Judy Gitelson have formed a few theories suggesting that this piece might connect to one of San Francisco’s most notable artists, Ralph Stackpole.
Stackpole was a significant presence in the San Francisco art scene during the 1920s and 1930s, creating various public artworks, including notable pieces like the Old San Francisco Stock Exchange statue and a mural at Coit Tower.
If this discovery turns out to be an original from this renowned artist, it could be extraordinarily valuable, considering the market value of his other sculptures.
Gatwood recounted that while digging in his Russian Hill backyard in May, he struck something unusual.
“Honestly, this might be the most exciting thing I’ve ever dug up. I’ve found plenty of things over the years,” he shared with NBC News.
The couple resides right across from the former San Francisco Art Institute, a place that has shaped many artists over the years. This, perhaps, fueled Gatwood’s suspicions.
“There might be a link between this statue and the art school nearby,” he expressed. “Stackpole taught there for many years. It’s possible he or one of his students interacted with this piece.” He speculated that the statue was once a garden gift that ended up lost amid the dense foliage.
Judy Gitelson, an artist herself, examined the sculpture and noticed familiar stylistic elements.
While she doubts the piece is directly attributable to Stackpole, she does feel it reflects his era, highlighting particular features she believes connect it to its surroundings.
“Ralph Stackpole mentored many artists for two decades, and they often shared a similar aesthetic: a flat nose and a broad face,” she remarked to NBC News. Gitelson pointed out that the materials and craftsmanship show considerable skill.
“It’s carved from limestone, and the quality is quite excellent,” she noted. “A local sculptor said, ‘This is not the work of someone who simply practiced all night. You can tell it’s a sophisticated piece.'”
Even with these insights, the couple has yet to uncover anyone who can definitively identify the artist or trace the sculpture’s origins.
