'Carving Out History' review: The art of Emma Stebbins

The Heckscher Museum of Art is putting sculptor Emma Stebbins on a long overdue pedestal.

The Huntington venue is spotlighting the works of the pioneering Stebbins in its "Carving Out History" exhibit running through March 15. And to enhance the experience, the museum has put together its own work of art, an accompanying book of the same title that blends Stebbins' fascinating story with stunning photos of her creations.

In his thoughtful foreword, "Angels in America" playwright Tony Kushner talks about Stebbins and her sculpture "Angel of the Waters," which served as the inspiration for one of the angels in his Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Other contributions include essays and commentaries by artist Patricia Cronin; photojournalist Ricky Flores; Laura Turner Igoe, curator of The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and many others.

Born in New York City in 1815 to a wealthy family (her father John L. Stebbins was a successful banker), she took up drawing and painting before moving to Rome at age 40 to pursue sculpture. In Rome, she became part of an expatriate circle of women artists called The Jolly Bachelors and also met actress Charlotte Cushman, who became her wife.

Stebbins' work and its relevance are captured in all their glory in both pictures and prose throughout the book, including "The Lotus Eater," the first male nude sculpted by an American female artist; a bust of Cushman; and "Industry" and "Commerce," her depictions of American laborers.

Despite the accolades for her work during her lifetime, Stebbins became largely forgotten. Thanks to the Heckscher — both with its exhibit and its book — she's finally getting her moment of rediscovery.