Horatio Stone

Horatio Stone (December 25, 1808-August 25, 1875), American sculptor born in Jackson, New York, Stone studied to be and then worked as a medical doctor from 1841 to 1847 before becoming a sculptor.[1] He moved to Washington D.C. in 1848, and obtained several commissions for the US Capitol building.[2]

During this time he executed portraits of patrons in Washington, which were, “good likenesses, but lacked any spark of life.” [3]

He was instrumental in the founding of the Federal Art Commission which was tasked with obtaining better art for federal buildings in Washington D.C. Fellow commissioner Henry Kirke Brown wrote of him, “This Stone has been for the last eight years a sort of martyr to the cause of art in Washington, through poverty, neglect and scornhe has urged increasing the claim of American artists to the consideration and patronage of the government.” .[3] The Federal Art Commission was abolished in 1860. Stone was also instramental in the founding of the National Gallery of Art.[4]

Stone died in Carrara, Italy in 1875.

Selected Works

References
  1. Opitz, Glenn B, Editor, Mantle Fielding's Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers, Apollo Book, Poughkeepsie NY, 1986 p. 903
  2. Craven, Wayne, Sculpture in America, Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York 1968 p. 107-108
  3. Craven 1968, p. 208.
  4. Opitz 1986, p. 903.
  5. Architect of the Capitol Under the Direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, Compilation of Works of Art and Other Objects in the United States Capitol, United States Government Printing Office, Washington 1965 p.270-271 and p.400
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