The sculpture "The Death of Cleopatra" stands as a definitive marker of an artistic career that challenged the aesthetic norms of the 19th-century United States. Emerging from a background of African-American and Native American heritage, the artist established a professional practice that successfully navigated the competitive art markets of both Boston and Rome during a period of intense social upheaval.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1844 in Greenbush, the artist experienced a childhood marked by early parental loss. By 1859, financial support from a half-brother allowed enrollment at the Oberlin Academy. She subsequently transitioned to the Oberlin Collegiate Institute, later known as Oberlin College. Her time at this institution, a rare site of coeducation for women and people of color, concluded under difficult circumstances following a controversial legal accusation of poisoning, which was eventually dismissed for lack of evidence.
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Following her academic departure, she relocated to Boston to pursue professional work. By 1866, she moved to Rome, Italy, where she maintained a studio for the majority of her career. Her creative output centered on the Neoclassical style, frequently integrating themes related to indigenous populations and Black historical narratives. Notable pieces such as "Hiawatha and Minnehaha" and "The Death of Cleopatra" earned her significant international attention during her lifetime.
Legacy and Historical Placement
She gained prominence during the American Civil War, distinguishing herself as an artist operating within the mainstream of the era. Her influence extended beyond her immediate contemporaries, as later scholars recognized her status as one of the few Black women to achieve such recognition at the close of the 19th century. She died in 1907 in Hammersmith and is buried at St Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Kensal Green.
Fast facts
- Born: 1844, Greenbush
- Died: 1907, Hammersmith
- Buried: St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green
- Primary Field: Sculpture
- Notable Works: Hiawatha and Minnehaha; The Death of Cleopatra
- Education: Oberlin College; Oberlin Academy
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Edmonia Lewis represent in her art?
Her work focused on Neoclassical-style sculptures featuring themes related to Black people and the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Where did Edmonia Lewis spend her career?
She worked primarily in Boston and Rome.
Achievements
- Notable work: Hiawatha and Minnehaha
- Notable work: The Death of Cleopatra
