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The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia)

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Coordinates: 38°2′18″N 78°30′21″W / 38.03833°N 78.50583°W / 38.03833; -78.50583
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The Aviator
ArtistGutzon Borglum
Year1918
TypeBronze
Dimensions4,400 cm × 3,400 cm (144 ft × 112 ft)
LocationCharlottesville, Virginia
OwnerUniversity of Virginia
The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia) is located in Virginia
The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia)
The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia) is located in the United States
The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia)
LocationMonument Square, bounded by University and Jefferson Park Aves. and the railroad tracks, Charlottesville, Virginia
Coordinates38°2′18″N 78°30′21″W / 38.03833°N 78.50583°W / 38.03833; -78.50583
Arealess than one acre
Built1919 (1919)
ArchitectBorglum, Gutzon
Architectural styleLate 19th And 20th Century Revivals
NRHP reference No.06000758[1]
VLR No.002-5073
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 9, 2006
Designated VLRJune 8, 2006[2]

The Aviator is a historical sculpture located on the University of Virginia campus near Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia.

History

[edit]

The sculpture is a bronze statue commissioned in honor of University alumnus, James Rogers McConnell’s heroism and courage in World War I, as a member of the Lafayette Escadrille.

The Aviator was designed by Gutzon Borglum and dedicated in 1919. The sculpture measures 12 feet high and 8 feet, 6 inches wide.[3]

It is located in front of Clemons Library on the grounds of the University of Virginia. Due to the library's abundant 24-hour study space available for students, The Aviator is a fixture in everyday life at the University.[4]

It is an athletic male nude with his feet placed shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and arms outstretched supporting a pair of wings.[5] The blade/knife; dirk or possible dagger/stiletto the figure has in his sheath is a recognized symbol of masculinity and of a warrior.[6][7]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.[1]

[edit]
  • The Aviator, April 2013
    The Aviator, April 2013
  • The Aviator, December 2005
    The Aviator, December 2005
  • The Seven Society inscription
    The Seven Society inscription
  • Inscription
    Inscription

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System – (#06000758)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register - The Aviator". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Aviator, (sculpture)". Inventory of American Sculpture. Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "UVA Library". www.library.virginia.edu. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Susan Smead and Taryn Harrison (April 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Aviator" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021. and Accompanying photo Archived 2021-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Ornate Yemeni Knives Mark Status, Masculinity". NPR.org. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ^ Schotten, C. (July 20, 2009). Nietzsche's Revolution: Décadence, Politics, and Sexuality. Springer. ISBN 9780230623224. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.


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