Sculpture Artis Lane with her statue of Sojourner Truth
- tourdeforcedc
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Sojourner Truth (nee Isabella Baumfree,) bust, US Capitol (Emancipation Hall), by Canadian sculptor Artis Lane
Background:
In 1920, sculptures of three white women suffrage leaders, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott., were placed in the Rotunda, but a representation of Sojourner Truth, who had contributed greatly to the women’s suffrage struggle, was notably lacking. A long campaign to include her culminated in 2006, when President Bush signed legislation authorizing the new statue’s creation. However, the Sojourner Truth has not been placed adjacent with the white women suffrage campaigners, but is rather in Emancipation Hall
Prompts for closer looking:
How has the artist Artis Lane conveyed the complexity and dignity of her subject?
How different is the depiction of Truth from the other 18th and 19th century historical figures depicted in the Capitol?
Reflect on the placement of this sculpture? Should she have been placed in the company of the other women’s suffrage leaders?
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