Edmonia Lewis (1845-1907) c. 1870

Curator: Looking at this, I feel a sense of quiet determination. The composition feels so considered, yet somehow intimate. Editor: Absolutely. This is a photograph of Edmonia Lewis, the groundbreaking sculptor of African American and Native American heritage. It was taken by Henry Rocher and is now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: Her gaze meets ours with such intensity. It’s like she’s daring us to underestimate her. There is this slight smirk. Editor: Indeed. Consider the social context. As a woman of color navigating the art world, her very existence was an act of resistance. Her clothing choices also offer an interesting perspective on the way she performed race and gender. Curator: I wonder what she would think of us, analyzing her portrait like this. I hope she'd appreciate the conversation. Editor: Me too. It's a privilege to reflect on her legacy.