The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia)

The Aviator
ArtistGutzon Borglum
Year1918
TypeBronze
Dimensions4,400 cm × 3,400 cm (144 ft × 112 ft)
LocationCharlottesville, Virginia
OwnerUniversity of 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

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]

References

  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.