''The Aviator'' is a historical

sculpture Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

located on the

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a Public university#United States, public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson and contains his The Lawn, Academical Village, a World H ...

campus near

Charlottesville Charlottesville, colloquially known as C'ville, is an independent city in Virginia, United States. It is the seat of government of Albemarle County, which surrounds the city, though the two are separate legal entities. It is named after Quee ...

Albemarle County, Virginia Albemarle County is a United States county (United States), county located in the Piedmont region of Virginia, Piedmont region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, Virginia, Charlottes ...

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 La Fayette Escadrille () was the name of the French Air Force unit escadrille N 124 during the First World War (1914–1918). This escadrille of the History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)#World War I (1914–1918), ''Aéronautique Mil ...

. ''The Aviator'' was designed by

Gutzon Borglum John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (March 25, 1867 – March 6, 1941) was an American sculpture, sculptor best known for his work on Mount Rushmore. He is also associated with various other public works of art across the U.S., including Stone Moun ...

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
photo''
The blade/knife; dirk or possible dagger/stiletto the figure has in his sheath is a recognized symbol of masculinity and of a warrior. It was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

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 Monuments and memorials to aviators {{AlbemarleCountyVA-NRHP-stub