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Augusta Savage
Sculpting The Harp and building opportunities for Black artists during the Harlem Renaissance.
W. E. B. Du Bois · Gamin
- Born
- 29 February 1892
- Birthplace
- Green Cove Springs, Florida, United States
- Died
- 26 March 1962
More people
Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage was an American sculptor and teacher whose portraits and community work made her an important figure in Harlem. Racial discrimination and limited funding repeatedly constrained her career.
Early life
Modelling in clay
Began making small figures from local clay as a child in Florida.
Studying in New York
Entered Cooper Union after moving to New York in 1921.
Career
- 1923
Challenging exclusion
Publicly protested when a French summer school withdrew her place because she was Black.
- 1929–1932
Study in Paris
With financial support from patrons and foundations, studied and exhibited in France.
- 1930s
A Harlem teaching centre
Established a studio and became the first director of the Harlem Community Art Center.
- 1939
World’s fair commission
Created The Harp for the New York World’s Fair.
Selected work
W. E. B. Du Bois
A portrait bust commissioned in Harlem.
Gamin
A sensitive portrait of a young Black boy.
The Harp
A monumental group of singers arranged like the strings of a harp.
Beyond the studio
Opening doors
Taught and encouraged younger artists, including people who became major figures in American art.
Works lost
The Harp was destroyed after the fair; she lacked the money to preserve it in bronze.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Museum or specialist research ↗Photo: US Gov.. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
