Soru

The Marble and the Mallet

[1]
In the mid-nineteenth century, a sculptor named Edmonia Lewis defied societal expectations to achieve international acclaim. Born to a Native American mother and an Afro-Haitian father, Lewis was orphaned at a young age. Despite facing intense prejudice, she eventually traveled to Rome, Italy, where she joined a vibrant community of expatriate artists and sculpted in neoclassical marble. Her work drew inspiration from both her heritage and contemporary social movements, such as the abolition of slavery.

[2]
Lewis’s Rome studio became a popular stop for wealthy travelers on the Grand Tour, who marveled at her ability to breathe life into cold stone. Unlike many of her contemporaries, who hired local Italian artisans to carve their plaster models into marble, Lewis did all her carving herself. She feared that if she did not perform the labor, critics would attribute her achievements to male assistants. Consequently, her dedication to her craft resulted in striking works like *The Death of Cleopatra*, a massive, realistic sculpture that captivated audiences at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

[3]
For decades after her death in 1907, much of Lewis's work was lost or forgotten, and *The Death of Cleopatra* was even found in a Chicago salvage yard before being restored. Today, museums around the world display her sculptures, celebrating her pioneering role as a woman of color in the fine arts. She is remembered not just as a skilled artisan but as an artist who carved her own path through history. __________

The writer wants to conclude the passage by emphasizing Lewis's lasting legacy and the theme of overcoming adversity. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?