Pictured above is Edmonia Lewis (bottom), along with her sculptures The Death of Cleopatra (top left) and Forever Free (top right).
I am not sure how to begin even trying to summarize the fascinating life of Edmonia Lewis and her sculptures. The Smithsonian magazine’s 1996 article on her does a far better job than I ever could, so I encourage you to check it out!
The Death of Cleopatranow resides in the Smithsonian American Art Museum (the source of the picture of it above). But the sculpture almost fell into complete obscurity after wowing the public at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia. SAAM also has a brief biography on Edmonia that’s worth exploring. Wikipedia’s article on Lewis is also a fine place to start, given the number of great references and sources listed. It’s also the source of Lewis’s portrait above.
The life Edmonia Lewis forged at a time when being anything but white or male would almost certainly relegate you to the dustbin of history stands as an inspiration. Do yourself a favor and don’t resist exploring more.
We’re reblogging this post of ours from 2014 today since Edmonia Lewis has a Google Doodle today! (It’s also wonderful to see that Freeman H.M. Murray now has a great Wikipedia page, too.)
I should mention we have a couple more books in our collection about Edmonia Lewis (though not digitally available—check WorldCat to find books in libraries near you):
Also, don’t forget to take a look at the Smithsonian’s Collection Search to take a look at the many sculptures, etc. in our museums & research centers!
I have seen this. It stands on the end of the headland at Tintagel, North Cornwall. It is roughly 1.3 tall men high and very stern and terrifying. Small children hide inside it.
The Dark Queen, statue probably depicting the Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra III (ruled 142–101 BC). Discovered in the lost, sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion
Motion control artist Bruce Shapiro (previously featured here) recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to created three different smaller domestic versions of his awesome Sisyphus kinetic drawing machine. Now we can enjoy this soothing geometric sand art in our own home as two different coffee tables (3 and 4 foot diameters) or an end table.
“Over time I have come to view Sisyphus as more than a kinetic art piece: it is an instrument,” said Shapiro. “As a musical instrument plays songs, Sisyphus plays paths. My goal with this Kickstarter is to get Sisyphus into people’s homes for them to enjoy as both furniture and art, but also, to inspire a community of composers to write ‘music’ for it.”
Motion control artist Bruce Shapiro (previously featured here) recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to created three different smaller domestic versions of his awesome Sisyphus kinetic drawing machine. Now we can enjoy this soothing geometric sand art in our own home as two different coffee tables (3 and 4 foot diameters) or an end table.
“Over time I have come to view Sisyphus as more than a kinetic art piece: it is an instrument,” said Shapiro. “As a musical instrument plays songs, Sisyphus plays paths. My goal with this Kickstarter is to get Sisyphus into people’s homes for them to enjoy as both furniture and art, but also, to inspire a community of composers to write ‘music’ for it.”
Steel Phoenix Studios 