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Senate Art Committee hears historians and scholars on how to portray Elizabeth Freeman
Summary
Experts told the Senate Art Committee that artists should convey Elizabeth Freeman’s compassion, determination and a direct gaze; they recommended using a bonnet that frames her face, coordinating age and scale with Abigail Adams, and taking care with material choices and labeling.
At a meeting of the Senate Art Committee, Chair Senator Julian Sierra invited scholars to advise semifinalist sculptors on how to portray Elizabeth Freeman, the 18th‑century woman whose freedom suit set a legal precedent in Massachusetts. The committee sought guidance on age, expression, headwear, scale and materials to inform a draft invitation letter to artists.
Historian and author Donna Tesoro summarized Freeman’s life and the character traits members asked artists to convey. "The 3 most important qualities that characterized Elizabeth Freeman are courage, compassion, and determination," Tesoro said, and urged the committee to seek a likeness that would make Freeman "look like me and I like it," meaning a rendering Freeman herself would recognize and accept.
Dr. Jonathan Michael Square, an assistant professor of Black visual culture at Parsons, warned that modern image searches and a scarcity of period likenesses mean the committee’s choices will shape how the public sees Freeman. He said artists should aim for a direct, engaging gaze: "I would prefer, an image where she was meeting the viewers gaze head on." On headwear he stated plainly, "So I'm pro bonnet," arguing that a bonnet that frames the face can allow artists to both honor period conventions and show facial features.
Committee members stressed balancing historical grounding with interpretive choices. Several members and the experts recommended portraying Freeman at roughly the same age as Abigail Adams so the two busts read as contemporaries and peers in the chamber. Dr. Square advised coordinating scale and age across submissions so "one bust doesn't outsize the other."
Speakers also raised material and interpretive-labeling questions. Dr. Square cautioned that "materials aren't neutral" and said committees should consider how medium and finish affect perception; staff noted limited plaque space on pedestals and that a forthcoming app will provide fuller descriptions of collection pieces.
The committee did not adopt final language in public; instead members asked staff to revise the draft invitation letter to reflect today's feedback, including guidance about age, expression, headwear, and coordination between paired busts. The revised letter will go to semifinalist artists and the committee will review submitted maquettes and photos in upcoming meetings.
