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De Weldon, Felix George Weihs,
Harper, Anthony,
Unknown (Rome, Italy),
Portrait female -- Martus, Florence
History -- United States
Outdoor Sculpture -- Georgia -- Savannah
Sculpture
Florence Martus, (sculpture).
Artist:
De Weldon, Felix George Weihs, 1907-2003, sculptor.
Harper, Anthony, architect.
Unknown (Rome, Italy), founder.
Title:
Florence Martus, (sculpture).
Other Titles:
Savannah's Waving Girl, (sculpture).
Dates:
1971. Dedicated Feb. 5, 1972.
Medium:
Sculpture: bronze; Base: Swedish granite.
Dimensions:
Sculpture: approx. H. 17 ft. (2,000 lbs.).
Inscription:
FELIX DE WELDEN, SC. (On front of base, incised lettering:) FLORENCE MARTUS/1869-1943/SAVANNAH'S WAVING GIRL (On left side of base, incised lettering:) ERECTED BY THE ALTRUSA CLUB/SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 1971 signed
Description:
A standing portrait of Florence Martus waving a large handkerchief with both hands above her head. She stands on a slight incline and on her proper left side stands her collie. A lantern is on the ground in front of her proper right foot. The sculpture rests on a square base that is elevated off the ground with a recessed support.
Subject:
Portrait female -- Martus, Florence -- Full length
History -- United States -- Georgia
Object Type:
Outdoor Sculpture -- Georgia -- Savannah
Sculpture
Owner:
Administered by City of Savannah, Park & Tree Department, P. O. Box 1027, Savannah, Georgia 31402
Located Riverside Park, Savannah, Georgia
Remarks:
The sculpture is a tribute to Florence Martus (1869-1943) known as Savannah's famous Waving Girl. She lived on Elba Island on the Savannah River with her brother, lighthouse keeper George Martus, and every day for forty-four years she waved a greeting with a handkerchief, or a lantern, to all passing vessels, endearing herself to seamen who entered Savannah. She gained world-wide fame and became a symbol of the spirit of hospitality for which Savannah is known. The inscription on a nearby plaque reads: HER IMMORTALITY STEMS FROM HER FRIENDLY GREETING TO PASSING SHIPS/A WELCOME TO STRANGERS ENTERING THE PORT.
The sculpture was made possible by an anonymous donation of $40,000. The total cost of the sculpture was $40,000 to $50,000. The project was spearheaded by the Waving Girl Memorial Committee of the Altrusa Club of Savannah. The sculpture was cleaned in September of 1985.
IAS files contain articles from the Savannah Morning News, Jan. 15, 1950; Jan. 26, 1972; and Sept. 13, 1985; the Savannah Evening Press, Jan. 7, 1943; July 15, 1968, pg. 22; and June 26, 1969; the Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine, April 22, 1973, pg. 30, 32; undated articles from the Georgia Historical Society and Savannah's Ships of the Sea Museum; and a dedication brochure.
References:
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Georgia survey, 1994.
Illustration:
Image on file.
Savannah Morning News, Sept. 13, 1985.
Note:
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Repository:
Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Control Number:
IAS GA000434
Copy/Holding information
Smithsonian AmericanArt Museum
Control Number
Inventory of American Sculpture
GA000434
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