The Aviator (Charlottesville, Virginia) Explained

The Aviator
Year:	1918
Type:	Bronze
Height Imperial:	144
Width Imperial:	112
Imperial Unit:	ft
Metric Unit:	cm
Owner:	University of Virginia Embed: yes Location: Monument Square, bounded by University and Jefferson Park Aves. and the railroad tracks, Charlottesville, Virginia Designated Other1: Virginia Landmarks Register Designated Other1 Date: June 8, 2006^[1] Designated Other1 Number: 002-5073 Designated Other1 Num Position: bottom Coordinates: 38.0383°N -78.5058°W Architect: Borglum, Gutzon Architecture: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals Added: November 9, 2006 Area: less than one acre Refnum: 06000758

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

It is an athletic male nude with his feet placed shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and arms outstretched supporting a pair of wings.^[4] The blade/knife; dirk or possible dagger/stiletto the figure has in his sheath is a recognized symbol of masculinity and of a warrior.^{[5] [6]}

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register - The Aviator. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 2021-05-08. 2021-05-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002107/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/002-5073/. live.
2. Web site: The Aviator, (sculpture).. Inventory of American Sculpture. Smithsonian Institution. 29 May 2013. 11 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011224635/http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!317769~!0#focus. live.
3. Web site: UVA Library. www.library.virginia.edu. 2021-07-17. 2016-04-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422063240/https://www.library.virginia.edu/blog/libraries/clemons/. live.
4. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Aviator. Susan Smead and Taryn Harrison. April 2006. 2021-08-05. 2021-07-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210705164911/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/002-5073_Aviator_2006_NR_final.pdf. live. and photo
5. Web site: Ornate Yemeni Knives Mark Status, Masculinity. NPR.org. 2018-04-04. 2017-02-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20170227010134/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94979969. live.
6. Book: Nietzsche's Revolution: Décadence, Politics, and Sexuality. 9780230623224. Schotten. C.. 2009-07-20. Springer . 2020-12-04. 2021-08-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805130037/https://books.google.com/books?id=2fvGAAAAQBAJ&q=dagger+sexual+confusion&pg=PA120. live.