No. 86: Edmonia Lewis

Episode Transcript

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What happens when a young artist defies every expectation and becomes a sensation in a world that wasn’t ready for her? Meet Edmonia Lewis, the sculptor who chiseled her way into history against all odds.

Hey everyone, I’m Shae, a PhD candidate at Harvard, and welcome to "100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day." Today, we’re uncovering the fascinating life of Edmonia Lewis, an artist who broke barriers and left an indelible mark on the world of sculpture.

Edmonia Lewis was born in 1844 in New York, to a mixed-race mother of African-American and Native American descent and a father of West Indian descent. Her early life remains shrouded in mystery due to conflicting records and scarce documentation, making it challenging to piece together her exact origins. However, what’s clear is that Lewis faced immense adversity from the start.

She attended Oberlin College where she was falsely accused of poisoning her classmates, a charge rooted in racial prejudice. Although she was acquitted, the experience left her disillusioned, and she left Oberlin without graduating. Yet, this challenging chapter only fueled her determination to succeed. Her journey took her to Boston, where she studied under the celebrated sculptor Edward A. Brackett.

Lewis’s work garnered significant attention when she moved to Rome in the 1860s, a city known for its artistic heritage. In Rome, she created a series of sculptures that highlighted both her African and Native American heritage. Her most famous works include "Forever Free," a powerful depiction of emancipation, and "The Death of Cleopatra," which solidified her reputation as a talented and provocative artist.

Edmonia Lewis was known not only for her exceptional skill but also for her resilience. She navigated a predominantly white and male-dominated art world with remarkable grace and assertiveness. Her sculptures, often imbued with themes of racial and gender identity, challenged contemporary norms and showcased her unique perspective.

And here's a fascinating fact: Edmonia Lewis was the first woman of African American and Native American heritage to achieve international fame in the art world—defying the racial and gender norms of her time to create a lasting legacy."

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