Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Morgan Jr., Elemore |
Title |
Cypress Lake Double View |
Date |
2001 |
Medium |
Acrylic on Masonite and copper tubing |
Dimensions |
H-44.875 W-78.75 D-1.5 inches |
Object name |
Painting |
Collection |
Louisiana Collection |
Credit line |
Donated in Honor of Elemore Morgan, Jr. by Nancy F. Link. |
Image credit |
Courtesy of the estate of Elemore M. Morgan, Jr. |
Catalog number |
2003.02.a-b |
Notes |
In "Double View", Morgan captures two significant landmarks in Lafayette, the Saint John Cathedral Oak (top panel) and Cypress Lake (bottom panel), a swamp-like pond unique to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The majestic Saint John Oak, located on the grounds of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Lafayette, is a natural landmark predating the city's founding. In the early 19th century, Jean Mouton, one of the original Acadian settlers, donated this land for a Catholic parish, which later became the Cathedral of St. John. It is believed this location was chosen specifically for the ancient oak tree, a symbol of strength, resilience, and longevity-qualities treasured by Lafayette's early settlers. Today, Saint John Oak stands as a living testament to the faith and legacy of the community's founders. The bottom panel is of Cypress Lake, a pond that began as a cypress grove where migrating bison herds would rest in its shade. Eventually a depression formed in the ground from the bison pawing and stomping. As the depression began to retain water, a pond formed. The University, established in 1898, grew up around the pond. Early in its history, the pond was used as a livestock feeding area for the University's instructional farm. In the 1920s, the pond was drained, and the grove was used as an open-air theater for music, dance, and theater productions. The grove was converted back to a pond in the 1940s and today, it is a watery habitat for alligators, bullfrogs, turtles, fish, and birds. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the only university in the United States with a managed wetland on its campus. |
Search terms |
landscape swamp University of Louisiana campus dyptich local |