2 thoughts on “Art In Reflection: African American Sculptor & Innovator, Edmonia Lewis #NoCriticsJustArists”
Lewis became famous making portraits of martyrs like John Brown and Robert Gould Shaw. Then, as “the Indian girl,” she carved illustrations of “The Song of Hiawatha” that found commercial success. Three times she sculpted Emancipation themes turning on freed women. The first was lost. “Forever Free” (now at Howard U) met with controversy. In 1870, “Hagar” earned her $6000 in Chicago – big money at the time. An 1875 copy is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC.
Lewis became famous making portraits of martyrs like John Brown and Robert Gould Shaw. Then, as “the Indian girl,” she carved illustrations of “The Song of Hiawatha” that found commercial success. Three times she sculpted Emancipation themes turning on freed women. The first was lost. “Forever Free” (now at Howard U) met with controversy. In 1870, “Hagar” earned her $6000 in Chicago – big money at the time. An 1875 copy is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC.
Thank you!