University of Texas Icons

Littlefield Fountain and the Main Building (The Tower) surely must be defining icons of the University of Texas, in Austin TX! Littlefield Fountain... more

by Joan Carroll

Title

University of Texas Icons

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Littlefield Fountain and the Main Building ("The Tower") surely must be defining icons of the University of Texas, in Austin TX! Littlefield Fountain is a monument by Italian-born sculptor Pompeo Coppini. The fountain was built with money from a $250,000 trust established by Major George W. Littlefield as a memorial for University of Texas students and alumni who died in The Great War, now commonly known as World War I. It was unveiled in 1933. The fountain features Army and Navy soldiers on each side, with goddess Columbia in the center with the palm of peace and the torch of light and freedom. The memorial fountain is inscribed in Latin. The translation reads, "Short life hath been given by Nature unto man; but the remembrance of a life laid down in a good cause endureth forever."Beneath this inscription is a memorial bronze plaque that lists all UT students and alumni killed in The Great War.Behind it stands the UT tower, a 307 foot tall tower completed in 1937. The color scheme of the lights in the building can be varied for various athletic victories and other special events. For example, an orange tower with office windows lit to form the numeral "1" is used for national championships in NCAA sporting events. During Gone To Texas (welcoming new students to campus) and commencement ceremonies, the Tower windows are lit up to form the year (e.g. a 12 for the Class of 2012) of the class being honored.

FEATURED PHOTO, Images That Excite You group, 9/4/14

FEATURED PHOTO, Life is What Happens group, 9/1/14

FEATURED PHOTO, AAA Images group, 7/29/14

FEATURED PHOTO, The Road to Self Promotion group, 7/28/14

FEATURED PHOTO, Texas Landscape and Landmark Photography group, 7/28/14

Uploaded

July 28th, 2014