Edmonia Lewis Professions : Sculptor Born : July 4, 1845 Died : September 17, 1907 Browse All Authors Top 10 quotes by Edmonia Lewis I don't want you to praise me...Some praise me because I am a colored girl, and I don't want that kind of praise. I had rather you would point out my defects, for that will teach me something. Edmonia Lewis girl want teacher I thought I knew everything when I came to Rome, but I soon found I had everything to learn. Edmonia Lewis learn everything thought rome There is nothing so beautiful as the free forest. To catch a fish when you are hungry, cut the boughs of a tree, make a fire to roast it, and eat it in the open air, is the greatest of all luxuries. I would not stay a week pent up in cities if it were not for my passion for art. Edmonia Lewis passion tree beautiful art Sometimes the times were dark and the outlook was lonesome, but where there is a will, there is a way. I pitched in and dug at my work until now I am where I am. Edmonia Lewis i-am dark work sometimes One day, I saw a statue of Benjamin Franklin, and I said to myself, 'I can do that kind of work, too.' Edmonia Lewis day myself i-can work I have a strong sympathy for all women who have struggled and suffered. Edmonia Lewis who women strong sympathy I was practically driven to Rome in order to obtain the opportunities for art culture and to find a social atmosphere where I was not constantly reminded of my color. The land of liberty had no room for a colored sculptor. Edmonia Lewis liberty color culture art Until I was twelve years old, I led this wandering life, fishing, swimming, and making moccasins. Edmonia Lewis old swimming fishing life My features I take from my father, but my spirit, my industry and perseverance I get from my Indian mother. Edmonia Lewis perseverance spirit mother father No, I have not a drop of what they call white blood in my veins. My father was a full blooded Negro, and my mother was a full blooded Chippewa. Edmonia Lewis mother white father blood Similar Authors Andrea Zittel sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens sculptor Auguste Rodin sculptor Augusta Savage sculptor Antony Gormley sculptor Anthony Caro sculptor All Authors