Edmonia Lewis was the first sculptor of African American and Native American heritage to gain national, and later international, recognition. In 1865, she relocated to Rome, where the relatively less pronounced racial prejudice afforded her greater opportunities as a Black artist.
Unlike most sculptors in Rome at the time who relied on Italian artisans to execute their final marble works, Lewis was distinctive in completing the entire sculpting process herself. Much of her work explores themes drawn from her dual heritage, powerfully reflecting both African American and Native American identities.
