Object Details
Artist
Edmonia Lewis, born Greenbush (now Rensselaer), NY 1844-died London, England 1907
Sitter
Helen Ruthven Waterston
Luce Center Label
Edmonia Lewis often carved portraits of her patrons, either for a commission or as an expression of thanks. This piece memorializes Helen Waterson the daughter of the poet and abolitionist Anna Quincy Waterston and Reverend Robert C. Waterston, who died at age seventeen. The Watersons helped Lewis raise the funds to pay for the first marbles she carved in Rome. The sculpture shows an elegant young woman with a composed expression and a hint of a smile. The elaborate hairstyle and decorative clothing suggest a lady of wealth and importance in nineteenth-century society.
Luce Object Quote
"Tis fitting that a daughter of the raceWhose chains are breaking should receive a giftSo rare as genius. Neither power nor place,Fashion or wealth, pride, custom, caste nor hueCan arrogantly claim what God doth liftAbove these chances, and bestows on few."Excerpt from "Edmonia Lewis," a poem by Anna Quincy Waterston, 1864
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Dr. Richard Frates
Date
ca. 1866
Object number
1983.95.181
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Sculpture
Medium
carved marble
Dimensions
11 7/8 x 7 1/4 x 5 1/8 in. (30.2 x 18.5 x 12.9 cm.)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 17A
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Portrait female\bust
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1983.95.181