Wildfire In Marble Edmonia Lewis

July 4 1844 september 17 1907 was an african american sculptor of mixed african american and native american heritage born free in upstate new york she worked for most of her career in rome italy she was the first african american sculptor to achieve national and then international prominence.

Wildfire in marble edmonia lewis.

Lewis s part chippewa heritage and upbringing instilled in her only simple spartan needs and. The identical sphinx heads flanking the throne represent the twins she bore with roman general. Even though this is a children s book wildfire in marble is one of the best sources of information about the remarkable 19th century african ojibwe sculptor. Edmonia lewis was an extraordinary woman who deserves the current revival of interest in her neo classical sculpture.

Recent bibliography reading list. Edmonia lewis first notable commercial success was a bust of colonel robert gould shaw. Edmonia lewis was the first sculptor of african american and native american descent to achieve international recognition. Queens of queen city suhkuhegarequa wildfire edmonia lewis online article on edmonia lewis s connections to cincinnati.

Cleopatra 69 30 bce the legendary queen of egypt from 51 to 30 bce is often best known for her dramatic suicide allegedly from the fatal bite of a poisonous snake here edmonia lewis portrayed cleopatra in the moment after her death wearing her royal attire in majestic repose on a throne. Dillon press 1998 juvenile nonfiction 128 pages. A committed artist and a complex personality born in 1844 edmonia lewis was the first african american artist to win international fame. Finding cleopatra podcast edmonia lewis was the first american woman of color to achieve international fame as a sculptor her 3 000 pound masterwork the death of cleopatra.

The money she earned selling copies of the bust allowed her to sail to rome italy where she mastered. Her native american name was wildfire. July 4 1844 september 17 1907 was an american sculptor of african american and native american heritage. Her work which features themes of freedom and abolition became popular after the civil war and earned her numerous accolades.

Her father was black and her mother was chippewa ojibwa indian. She began to gain prominence in the united states. Wildfire in marble by. Orphaned at an early age lewis grew up in her mothers tribe where her life revolved around fishing swimming and making and selling crafts.

3 63 rating details 8 ratings 3 reviews a committed artist and a complex personality born in 1844 edmonia lewis was the first african american artist to win international fame.