The artwork, entitled “Hiawatha’s Marriage,” was created by the artist Edmonia Lewis in 1871. This sculpture, carved from marble, belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement, and it is housed in the Cincinnati Art Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
The artwork meticulously depicts a significant moment, presumably the marriage of Hiawatha, a character from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem “The Song of Hiawatha.” The marble sculpture portrays two figures standing closely, gazing at each other with an air of solemnity and affection. Their traditional Native American attire, including detailed fringes and intricate headdresses, are exquisitely rendered in marble, demonstrating Lewis’s skill in capturing both texture and emotion. The figures hold hands, signifying their union and the bond they share. The base of the sculpture bears the inscription “Hiawatha’s Marriage,” grounding the artwork in its narrative context and inviting viewers to reflect on the cultural and historical significance of the scene depicted. The use of marble adds a timeless and enduring quality to the piece, aligning with the Neoclassical emphasis on classical forms and idealized beauty.
