I’m not entirely sure, but I believe this was from an era when the artist typically never touched the stone or the tools himself (and rarely herself). Very skilled craftsmen did all the actual sculpting, under the direction of the artist. Source: Antiques Roadshow (possibly misremembered).
Incredible craftsmanship.
The patience is what baffles me. I can’t imagine taking so much time and precision
What else you’re going to do in 1850?
If you’re the 12th US President Zachary Taylor, you could always die from eating too much fruit and milk (true story).
Cough up some sweet victorian era pollution and die at 26
If they lived till 80 they would finish the entire statue, duh
I’m not entirely sure, but I believe this was from an era when the artist typically never touched the stone or the tools himself (and rarely herself). Very skilled craftsmen did all the actual sculpting, under the direction of the artist. Source: Antiques Roadshow (possibly misremembered).