Edmonia Lewis

Date of Birth: July 4, 1844

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 17, 1907

Biography

Mary Edmonia Lewis, commonly known as Edmonia Lewis, was a pioneering American sculptor of mixed African-American and Native American heritage. Born free on July 4, 1844, in Greenbush, New York, her life and work defied the racial and gender barriers of her time. Orphaned at an early age, she was raised by her maternal aunts who were part of the Chippewa (Ojibwa) tribe. Lewis attended Oberlin College in Ohio, one of the first institutions to admit African-American students, where she first explored her interest in art. Despite facing numerous challenges—including being accused of poisoning her classmates and subsequently beaten by a mob—Lewis persevered. She moved to Boston in 1864, where she met abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and sculptor Edward Augustus Brackett, who became her mentor. She created portraits of famous abolitionists, such as Garrison and Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, achieving early success. In 1865, Lewis traveled to Rome, Italy, to further her craft in a more accepting environment. There, she became part of an expatriate community of artists and developed her neoclassical style. Her works often depicted themes of freedom, justice, and the experiences of African Americans and Native Americans. Some of her most famous works include “The Death of Cleopatra,” which was showcased at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and “Forever Free,” a sculpture celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation. Edmonia Lewis’s legacy endures as a trailblazer who broke racial and gender barriers in the art world, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire.

5 Interesting Facts about Edmonia Lewis

1. Edmonia Lewis was the first professional African-American and Native American sculptor to achieve international recognition.

2. She often signed her works with her Chippewa name, “Wildfire.”

3. One of her most famous sculptures, “The Death of Cleopatra,” was lost for several years before being rediscovered in a Chicago storage yard.

4. Lewis was one of the few women in the 19th century who supported herself solely through her art.

5. She was buried in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in London, where she spent the last years of her life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edmonia Lewis

1. “I was practically driven to Rome in order to obtain the opportunities for art culture, and to find a social atmosphere where I was not constantly reminded of my color.”

2. “I have a strong sympathy for all women who have struggled and suffered.”

3. “I am going back to Italy to do something for the race… something that will excite the admiration of the world.”

4. “Some praise me because I am a colored girl, and I don’t want that kind of praise.”

5. “I knew that I was talented. I knew that I had the ability. I knew that I was an artist.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Edmonia Lewis is not well-documented, but her works have gained significant value posthumously, with some pieces fetching high prices at auctions.