Horatio Stone was born in Jackson, NY on December 25th, 1808. At his father's insistence that he give up his interest in whittling and concentrate on chores, young Stone decided to leave his rural home and the life of a farmer. Supporting himself through odd jobs Stone managed to acquire medical training eventually setting up his own practice in New York. Around 1848, however, he abruptly left his medical practice and relocated to Washington D.C. to pursue a professional career as a sculptor. Stone's busts and figures of political figures include Alexander Hamilton (c. 1868), John Hancock (commissioned 1858) and Edward Dickinson Baker (c. 1873). Aside from prominent political figures, Stone sculpted a number of ideal allegorical works including Corinne at Rome, Beatrice Unveiling to Dante, Faith, and Uncle Sam.
Although Horatio Stone carved such important works as Alexander Hamilton (which is at the Rotunda at the National Statuary Hall), helped to found the Washington Art Association in 1857, and lived some of his life in Carrara, Italy, his work today often pass through the market unrecognized. This work came up twice at auction with little note and yet he is amongst our early American marble carvers which is a very small and talented group. Often it has been noted that there are great finds still to be had in the sculpture market and a work like this certainly confirms that.S
Skinners, Boston, 2014