Exhibit Showcases 19th-Century Black Sculptor Edmonia Lewis

Sculpture has traditionally been a male-dominated art form until the emergence of female sculptors in the 19th century. One such artist was Edmonia Lewis, who not only carved a name for herself in the medium as a woman, but also broke the color barrier.

Lewis was the most famous female sculptor of color in America. Done in neo-classical style, her sculptures were inspired by Civil War heroes, abolitionists, biblical characters and mythical creatures, as well as her Black-Indigenous heritage. The Cantor Arts Center’s new exhibit, “Edmonia Lewis: Indelible Impressions,” which runs Sept. 17 to Jan. 4, explores both her life and work and her connection to the Bay Area.

“In the course of my research, I learned that three of her sculptures were on exhibition at the San Jose Public Library,” sa