Object Details
Artist
Carl Van Vechten, 17 Jun 1880 - 21 Dec 1964
Sitter
Augusta Savage, 29 Feb 1892 - 26 Mar 1962
Exhibition Label
Born Green Cove Springs, Florida
In 1923, an American fellowship committee rejected Augusta Savage’s application to study sculpture in France, claiming that white Southern students would object to her race. Understandably outraged, Savage demanded, “How am I to compete with other American artists if I am not to be given the same opportunity?”
Six years later, Savage went to Paris on a different fellowship. Her work progressed rapidly as she experimented with materials and styles. She collected examples of African art and hired a model of African descent for a group of sculptures representing Amazons.
After returning to the United States in 1932, Savage produced her most famous work, The Harp, for the 1939 World’s Fair. It was inspired by the lyrics for “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by her friend James Weldon Johnson. Savage was discussing ideas for a memorial to Johnson when Carl Van Vechten took this somber photograph.
Nacida en Green Cove Springs, Florida
En 1923, un comité de becas estadounidense rechazó la solicitud de Augusta Savage para estudiar escultura en Francia, alegando que los estudiantes blancos sureños se opondrían debido a su raza. Lógicamente indignada, Savage les increpó: “¿Cómo puedo competir on otros artistas estadounidenses si no me dan las mismas oportunidades?”.
Seis años después, Savage fue a París con otra beca. Allí progresó rápidamente a medida que experimentaba con materiales y estilos. Adquirió ejemplares de arte africano y empleó a una modelo de ascendencia africana para un grupo de esculturas de amazonas.
Tras regresar a EE.UU. en 1932, Savage produjo su obra más famosa, El arpa, para la Feria Mundial de 1939. Se inspiró en la letra del himno “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (Elevad las voces y cantad), de su amigo James Weldon Johnson. Savage exploraba ideas para una obra en conmemoración de Johnson cuando Carl Van Vechten tomó esta sombría foto.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
1938
Object number
S/NPG.95.379
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Estate of Carl Van Vechten
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image/Sheet: 25.3cm x 20.2cm (9 15/16" x 7 15/16")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Interior
Augusta Savage: Female
Augusta Savage: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Artist\Sculptor
Augusta Savage: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Art instructor
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_S_NPG.95.379