Edmonia Lewis

DESCRIPTION

Mary Edmonia Lewis was the first professional African American and Native American sculptor to achieve international acclaim. Born in New York, she spent most of her career in Rome, Italy, where she joined a community of expatriate artists. Working in the Neoclassical style, her sculptures frequently explored themes of religion and the experiences of Black and Indigenous people. Her notable works include 'Forever Free' and 'The Death of Cleopatra.'