Florida Women in History: Augusta Christine Fells Savage

 A split view of “The Harp.” On the left, finished plaster elements dry. On the right, Savage and an assistant work to cast the remaining figures and the hand that supports them. Savage at work in her Harlem studio hand-finishing the figures of singers for the finished piece. The kneeling figure of a boy to be at the front of the piece is not visible. Considered one of her major works, “The Harp” is Savage’s tribute to “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” an African-American hymn written by fellow Floridians James Weldon and Rosamond Johnson. Sixteen feet tall and made of plaster, the work was destroyed at the end of 1939 New York World’s Fair.View the list »
 Painted plaster, 9x5 ¾ x 4 3/8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.Savage used one of her nephews as a model for “Gamin,” her sculpture of a young boy living on the street. The piece was so well received that on the strength of it Savage won a Julius Rosenwald fellowship to study abroad in Paris.

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Considered one of the major artists of the Harlem Renaissance, Augusta Christine Fells Savage was born in Green Cove Springs, Fla.

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Unable to establish herself as an artist in Florida, Savage moved to New York City and was soon one of the most important figures in the Harlem Renaissance.

To see examples of Savage’s work, click the link to the list just under the headline.

Educated in art in New York City and Paris, Savage would go on to exhibit her work at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and more of her pieces are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

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OFFICIAL BIO: K Truitt is a second-generation, native Floridian born in Jacksonville. Truitt worked in public higher education for 25 years and knows newspaper publishing, printing and graphic design. Contact: kt.4examiner@yahoo.com

View the list
  •  Painted plaster, 9x5 ¾ x 4 3/8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.Savage used one of her nephews as a model for “Gamin,” her sculpture of a young boy living on the street. The piece was so well received that on the strength of it Savage won a Julius Rosenwald fellowship to study abroad in Paris.
  •  Considered one of her major works, “The Harp” is Savage’s tribute to “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” an African-American hymn written by fellow Floridians James Weldon and Rosamond Johnson. Sixteen feet tall and made of plaster, the work was destroyed at the end of 1939 New York World’s Fair.
  •  Savage at work in her Harlem studio hand-finishing the figures of singers for the finished piece. The kneeling figure of a boy to be at the front of the piece is not visible.
  •  A split view of “The Harp.” On the left, finished plaster elements dry. On the right, Savage and an assistant work to cast the remaining figures and the hand that supports them.
  •  Though rare, reproductions of “The Harp” do exist. Think you’ve found one? Here’s how to to tell if it’s authentic:Savage's incised signature is featured on the left of the base,stamped on the item's right side is "Worlds Fair 1939" and "Copyright."The size of the productions is 10-3/4" x 9-1/2" x 4"The reproductions were published by Augusta Savage Studios, Inc., New YorkA printed paper label attached to the underside reads: "Reproduction of a Work of Art Created by Augusta Savage, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' now on exhibit at the New York World's Fair, Augusta Savage Studios, Inc. 143 West 125th Street, New York, N. Y."
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, Greater Jacksonville Examiner

K Truitt is a second-generation, native Floridian born in Jacksonville. Truitt worked in public higher education for 25 years, most recently in Texas, is a successful grant writer, knows newspaper publishing, printing and graphic design and wants to work in the public sector. Contact: kt...

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