“Indian Combat,” created in 1868 by the esteemed artist Edmonia Lewis, is a marble sculpture that exemplifies the Neoclassical art movement. This artwork, housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) in Cleveland, Ohio, is a remarkable representation of the genre of sculpture.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and dynamic scene, with two Native American figures engaged in a physical struggle. The artist has skillfully rendered the tension and emotion of the combat through the intricate detailing of the figures’ muscles and expressions. The composition captures the essence of conflict and motion, further accentuated by the flowing hair and garments of the figures. The polished white marble enhances the elegance and purity of the form, drawing attention to the fine craftsmanship and classical style characteristic of Edmonia Lewis’s work. Lewis’s ability to convey narrative and emotion through the medium of marble is evident in this compelling and historically significant piece.
