Frederick Hart was a prominent late 20th century figurative sculptor. His view was that, "Art must touch our lives, our fears and cares; evoke our dreams and give hope to the darkness." He took the notion stated by playwright Tom Stoppard, who said "Modern art is innovation, without skill," and rejected this nihilism when developing the techniques that would earn him the title the "Rodin of our Century."

Beginning his life in Atlanta, and his career in Washington D.C., Hart was the epitome of the starving artist. He saw that he was spiritually descended by famed figurative masters such as August St. Gaudens and Daniel Chester French, but he failed to realize the fame these artists enjoyed. At Dupont Circle he could be found sculpting...