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

Albemarle County, Virginia Albemarle County is a county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city and enclave entirely surrounded by the county. Albemarle County is part of the Char ...

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. 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. It is an athletic male nude with his feet placed shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and arms outstretched supporting a pair of wings. an
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The blade/knife; dirk or possible dagger/stiletto the figure has in his sheath is a recognized symbol of masculinity. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Gallery

File:The aviator.JPG, ''The Aviator'', April 2013 File:"The Aviator" (of 1919) by Gutzon Borglum.jpg, ''The Aviator'', December 2005 File:SEVEN SOCIETY plaque.JPG, The Seven Society inscription File:SOARING-- inscription.JPG, Inscription

References

Bronze sculptures in Virginia Buildings and structures in Albemarle County, Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Albemarle County, Virginia University of Virginia Outdoor sculptures in Charlottesville, Virginia 1919 establishments in Virginia Statues in Virginia 1919 sculptures Sculptures of men in Virginia Nude sculptures in the United States Sculptures by Gutzon Borglum Aviation art {{AlbemarleCountyVA-NRHP-stub