While you may not remember the name of the sculptor, you likely recall the creation: Mt. Rushmore's heads of the Presidents. The sculptor's name was Gutzon Borglum and he spent some time here at The Mission at Father O'Sullivan's invitation. In 1884, the Borglum family moved from Nebraska to southern California, bringing artistic seventeen-year-old Gutzon to his new home.
By 1895, he was illustrating the prestigious Land of Sunshine magazine, published by Charles Lummis. Borglum and his talented wife, Elizabeth, painted views of San Juan Capistrano through the 1890s and early 20th century.
Living in Europe, particularly London and Paris, Borglum exhibited and became a recognized artist, but a transformation affected his style and inspiration when he saw the raw and rugged statuary of Auguste Rodin.
Returning in 1901 to the United States, Borglum worked to perfect his own style of Rodin-like sculptures including a bust of Lincoln and his masterwork: Mt. Rushmore.
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