The University of Chicago campus is home to a collection of carved stone figures, often unnoticed amidst the hustle and bustle of college life. These figures, resembling gargoyles, are found on various buildings across the campus. While some are prominently displayed atop Cobb Gate, others remain hidden or covered in ivy.
UChicago art historian Michael Camille explored these figures in his book "Image on the Edge: The Margins of Medieval Art." He posed the question: “What do they all mean, those lascivious apes, autophagic dragons, pot-bellied heads … that protrude at the edges of medieval buildings, sculptures and illuminated manuscripts?”
Although UChicago was established in 1891, its architecture features elements reminiscent of medieval times. The gargoyle-like figures on campus are mostly grotesques due to their lack of waterspouts.
Three notable locations with such ornamentation include Cobb Gate, Ryerson Physical Laboratory, and Rosenwald Hall. Cobb Gate is named after architect Henry Ives Cobb and reflects a neo-Gothic style. A legend suggests that its "gargoyles" symbolize an undergraduate's journey through university life.
Ryerson Physical Laboratory's grotesques require careful observation as they are positioned high up. Martin A. Ryerson was a significant early supporter of UChicago and played a role in selecting Henry Ives Cobb for the campus design.
Rosenwald Hall's exterior hints at its original purpose with stone reproductions of prehistoric creatures and geologists like Sir George Lyell depicted among them. Initially housing geology-related departments, it now hosts various academic offices including College Admissions.
Beyond these sites, other buildings like Harper Memorial Library and Rockefeller Chapel also feature similar carvings. As for their significance? Camille wrote: “I am more interested in how they pretend to avoid meaning,” suggesting that these figures celebrate transformation rather than fixed meanings.