Cleopatra on Throne 1876

Edmonia Lewis carved "Cleopatra on Throne" from marble, a material steeped in artistic tradition. The choice of marble imparts a sense of timelessness and grandeur, befitting the queen of Egypt. Marble's inherent qualities—its smoothness, weight, and capacity for capturing light—are all on display here. Lewis skillfully manipulated the stone to create flowing drapery and regal bearing. The act of carving itself, removing material to reveal form, requires immense skill and patience, emblematic of craft traditions. But the choice of marble also has social resonance. Quarried and transported, then painstakingly worked by the artist’s hand, it reflects a significant investment of labor. In the 19th century, when Lewis was working in Rome, marble was the material of European high culture. As an African American and Native American woman, Lewis was inserting herself into this tradition, laying claim to it and subtly subverting it. Ultimately, the sculpture invites us to consider the complex interplay of materials, making, and social context. It challenges the conventional boundaries between craft and fine art, and prompts us to reflect on the politics embedded within artistic practices.