End of Black History Month : Meet Edmonia Lewis (circa 1844-1907)

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Today is the end of celebrating Black History Month and we are on the cusp of celebrating Women's Day. This sculpture of Cleopatra was made by Edmonia Lewis (circa 1844-1907).


Edmonia was an African American with roots in the Native American heritage. She was the first African-American sculptor, born in New York, who gained international fame.
She was orphaned before she was five years old and lived with her mother's tribe (Native American). "It takes a village to raise a child," indeed.
Her brother, who became a gold miner in California, financed her, and determined to become a sculptor, she moved to Boston. She finally settled in Rome.
However, I am fascinated with how Lewis, greatly admired the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and she completed at least three figural groups inspired by the poem.

Sources: American Art, Smithsonian Mag, Daily Art

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