Edmonia Lewis (1845-1907) c. 1870

Curator: This is Henry Rocher’s photographic portrait of Edmonia Lewis, the groundbreaking sculptor of African American and Native American heritage. Editor: The sepia tones lend such a soft, contemplative air. I'm immediately drawn to the way she's draped in fabric, almost like a classical sculpture herself. Curator: Exactly! Lewis strategically cultivated her image to challenge racial and gender norms. This photograph, a carte-de-visite, served as a form of self-promotion and a declaration of her identity. Editor: The shawl becomes symbolic, then – a signifier of status and artistic identity. It connects her to a lineage, yet sets her apart. And look at her gaze; there’s a quiet intensity. Curator: Precisely. It’s a gaze that challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface and recognize her complexity. A powerful statement from a woman navigating a white, male-dominated art world. Editor: Thinking about her legacy now, the photograph takes on even greater symbolic weight. It’s a quiet act of resistance, a visual assertion of identity. Curator: Indeed, a testament to her artistic and personal resilience. Editor: It's amazing how a single image can speak volumes across time.