Thomas Savage Sr. came to America from England as a boy of about 11 years where he had acquired his first art training. This framed copy of "The Chariot Race" was originally painted by another artist and repainted by Thomas Savage Sr. of Janesville, Minnesota. A letter dated November 21, 1965 written by Bill Savage, Thomas Savage Sr.'s son, accompanied the painting donation: "...In answer to your questions about the picture. This canvas is a copy of the original. I don't recall the artist's name, but am sure that my father would give him credit for it perhaps in the lower right hand corner and my father's name in the lower left or on the back of the canvas and perhaps the date of when he painted it. It was on display in the window of Thomas Foley's furniture store in Janesville for a few years until the completion of the Citizen's State Bank and then in the now Janesville State Bank until a few years ago when they remodeled the bank. Then Dallas took it to her place in St. Paul. I think there should be a card with something like this with the picture: 'This canvas painted by Thomas Savage Sr. A copy of the original "Chariot Race" by...is presented to Waseca County Museum by his heirs.'
It has never been sold, could not have been purchased. I saw a picture of the painting and my father sitting by it in his home, but do not know who has it [the photo] if is still around. Say hello to the Courthouse gang. As ever, Bill Savage."
Elizabeth Savage Schmidt is the granddaughter of Thomas Savage Sr.
