Edmonia Lewis • sculptor

1844-1907
Edmonia "Wild Fire" Lewis was the first professional African American and Native American sculptor. Her early success allowed her to travel to Rome and master working with marble. Her work was Neoclassical in style and featured newly freed African Americans, biblical and historical figures as well as representations of Native Americans. “Forever Free," one of her most prized works, is a sculpture that depicts a Black man and Black woman emerging from the bonds of slavery.

Click here to view for a short film about Lewis' life.