Edmonia Lewis (1845-1907) c. 1870

Curator: This is a photograph by Henry Rocher depicting Edmonia Lewis, the first African American and Native American sculptor to achieve international recognition. Editor: It's an intimate portrait, even at this small scale. I'm struck by the textures of her clothing—the light reflecting off the satin ribbon, the fringe, the folds of her skirt. Curator: Those details speak to the careful construction of her image, both by herself and the photographer. The tasseled cap, for example, alludes to a kind of artistic sensibility. Editor: Absolutely. And the materiality of this image itself. Think of the chemistry involved in early photographic processes and the layers of labor involved in producing and circulating such a photograph. Curator: It also makes me consider the historical context, and the symbols of identity and achievement Edmonia Lewis was consciously crafting at a time when simply being a woman of color in the art world was revolutionary. Editor: A powerful reminder that even the smallest objects can reveal volumes about social conditions. Curator: Indeed, it's a fascinating glimpse into the choices, both visible and concealed, that shaped a legacy.