A routine backyard landscaping project in San Francisco turned into a significant discovery for homeowners Greg Gatwood and Judy Gitelson. While digging in their Russian Hill yard, the couple unearthed a large, carved limestone sculpture that appears to date back to the city's early 20th-century art scene.
The couple notes their home sits directly across the street from the former San Francisco Art Institute. This proximity leads them to suspect the piece may be connected to the school, where prominent artist Ralph Stackpole taught for two decades. Stackpole, known for his work on the old San Francisco Stock Exchange and the murals inside Coit Tower, exerted a major influence on local sculptors during the 1920s and 1930s.
Judy Gitelson, who is an artist, analyzed the piece and noted the high level of technical skill used in the carving. While she does not attribute the work directly to Stackpole himself, she points out that the sculpture features a visual language consistent with his students. The limestone carving displays specific traits like a flattened nose and broad face, which were common motifs in that specific era of regional art.
The pair continues to search for definitive proof regarding the origin of the sculpture. Experts have indicated that the carving is the product of a highly sophisticated hand, ruling out amateur work. If the piece is verified as an original artwork from that historic period, it could carry substantial financial value.
For now, the mystery remains active. The couple is working to connect with historians and art experts who can shed light on the sculpture's history. Until a formal identification occurs, the heavy limestone statue stays on their property as a reminder of San Francisco's storied aesthetic history.