Danish-born American sculptor Carl Mose specialized in portraits, and mostly carved stone sculptures. He later became a teacher at Washington University in St. Louis, the Minneapolis Art Institute, and the Carleton College in Minnesota, as well as at his own school of sculpture at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC. Mose created numerous architectural sculptures, but also worked as a medalist at the Army Institute of Heraldry. After immigrating to the United States with his parents when he was still a child, Mose studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, fostered by sculptor Lorado Taft. Later, he pursued his studies in New York and Europe. The portrayed athletes Ellen and Ivan Osiier were Danish Olympic fencing champions.