Alma Mater
Alma Mater is a bronze sculpture by Lorado Taft and one of the symbols of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It weighs 4,500 kg and stands about 4 meters tall at the corner of Green Street and Wright Street in the heart of campus. The work shows a maternal figure in traditional academic dress with open arms, standing before a stylized throne or klismos. Two supporting figures represent Learning and Labor, echoing the university motto, "Learning and Labor." The sculpture is admired for its romantic, heraldic character and its warm pose, and it is often used as a backdrop for graduation photos. It was removed in 2012 for restoration and returned in spring 2014.
© Ragib · CC BY-SA 2.5
September 2015 © Pwojdacz · CC BY-SA 4.0
May 2012 © Theryeguy192 · CC BY-SA 3.0
June 2014 © University of Illinois Library · CC BY 2.0
June 2011 © Smallbones · CC0
Identification | |
| Title | Alma Mater |
| Type | Bronze statue |
Creator | |
| Artist | Lorado Taft |
Historical context | |
| Subject university | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Theme | University motto "Learning and Labor" |
| Conception started | 1916 |
| Gift announced | November 27, 1916 |
| Initial planned completion | October 1918 |
| Delay reason | Delayed because Taft took on other commissions |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Restoration purpose | To repair surface corrosion, cracks, and water penetration |
| Restoration cost | More than $360,000 |
| Returned from restoration | Spring 2014 |
| Restoration removal | Removed on August 7, 2012 for restoration |
| Relocation date | August 22, 1962 |
| Relocated to | Altgeld Hall |
| Honor at dedication | Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university |
| Initial location | South campus behind Foellinger Auditorium |
| Dedication date | June 11, 1929 |
| Plaster cast unveiled | June 13, 1922, at the annual convocation of the Alumni Association at 3:00 PM |
| Casting year | 1929 |
| Foundry | American Art Bronze Foundry |
| Funding | Donations from the Alumni Fund and the classes of 1923 to 1929 |
| Patron and financier | Roland R. Conklin, alumnus of the class of 1880 |
History and restoration | |
| Earlier waterproofing attempt | A 1981 university staff attempt that inadvertently sealed water inside the sculpture and caused serious internal damage |
| Restoration work | Laser removal of oxidation and sealing with a wax compound |
| Restoration director | Andrzej Dajnowski |
Location and ownership | |
| Current location | Corner of Green Street and Wright Street on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus |
| Campus area | Alma Mater Plaza |
| Site context | At the university entrance |
| Associated place name | Alma Mater Square |
| Ownership | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
Physical characteristics | |
| Base | Granite base with three inscriptions |
| Weight | 4,500 kg (approximately 10,000 pounds) |
| Height | About 4 meters (approximately 13 feet; at least 12 feet for the central figure) |
Materials | |
| Primary material | Bronze |
| Base material | Granite |
Technique | |
| Casting method | Bronze cast |
Appearance | |
| Style | Romantic with heraldic overtones |
| Subordinate figures treatment | Rendered with less emphasis so they appear out of focus |
| Pose impression | Warm, welcoming pose |
| Throne decoration | Great Seal of the State of Illinois on the back of the throne |
| Figure interaction | Learning and Labor clasp hands in a handshake over the throne |
| Labor figure | Male figure in a blacksmith's apron with a sheaf of papers at his feet |
| Learning figure | Female figure in a classical gown, based on Lemnia Athena, with a sun bas-relief on the front |
| Additional figures | Two attendant figures, Learning and Labor, positioned on either side of the central figure |
| Central figure | A maternal female figure in academic robes standing before a stylized throne (klismos) with outstretched arms in welcome |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Symbolism | Represents the university's motto, "Learning and Labor" |
| Meaning of pose | A generous greeting gesture associated with a Midwestern mother figure |
| Intended figure character | A more generous and cordial mother figure |
Significance | |
| 2005 NCAA finals decoration | Wore an Illini shirt in support of the team |
| Student behavior during absence | Students wore costumes imitating Alma Mater's attire and copied her pose on the empty granite base |
| 2010 decoration | Dressed in a custom UIUC gown and cap made by Herff Jones to mark graduation ceremonies |
| Late 2007 decoration | Adorned with red, orange, and blue roses to symbolize the football team's participation in the 2008 Rose Bowl |
| University symbol | One of the symbols of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Customary decoration | Occasionally dressed or adorned to reflect current events and celebrate achievements |
| Other campus uses | Featured on the university's official Twitter profile photo, institutional website, and i-Card |
| Campus use | Popular backdrop for student graduation photos |
| Status | Beloved, iconic emblem of the university |
Other | |
| Taft's university connection | His father was the university's first geology professor |
| Taft's residence | 601 E. John Street in Champaign, less than two blocks from the Altgeld Hall site |
| Inspiration | Inspired by Daniel Chester French's Alma Mater at Columbia University, unveiled 13 years earlier |
| Taft's stated aim | He did not seek personal glory and wanted his signature to appear only on the bronze |
| Student tradition | Students were meant to climb on the statue and sit on the throne |
| Temporary location period | 33 years |
| Absence period | 2012 to 2014 |
| Campus response during absence | The university planned alternative photo opportunities, including replica statues, green screen photos, and improvements to other landmarks |
| Original color decision | Restore the original bronze color rather than leave the natural green patina |