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Lost Cleopatra Sculpture Found After Century of Disappearance
7 Oct
Summary
- Edmonia Lewis' sculpture 'The Death of Cleopatra' was lost for over a century.
- The artwork was rediscovered after being used as a grave marker and target.
- A traveling exhibition will showcase Lewis's work, but the sculpture remains unseen.
The monumental sculpture 'The Death of Cleopatra,' crafted by artist Edmonia Lewis, has reappeared after a century of being lost. Lewis, an artist of mixed African American and Ojibwe heritage, created the powerful marble work in 1876, depicting Queen Cleopatra in the moments following her suicide.
The sculpture garnered attention at exhibitions in 1876 and 1878 but subsequently vanished. Reports indicate it was used as a grave marker for a racehorse named Cleopatra before being relocated to a salvage yard. Its eventual rediscovery by Harold Adams, a retired firefighter, marked a significant moment in art history.
Despite its recovery, Lewis, who faced discrimination throughout her career, remained largely overlooked after her death in 1907. Her studio was not preserved, and many of her works disappeared. Currently, her art is gaining renewed interest through a traveling exhibition, "Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone," scheduled for 2026-2027.
While 'The Death of Cleopatra' is not yet on public display, art historians anticipate its future reappearance at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
