Tableaux: Spirit, Mind, Body

Item Information

Title:
Tableaux: Spirit, Mind, Body
Description:
This black-and-white photograph shows ten Springfield College gymnasts forming a Tableaux titled “Spirit, Mind, Body.” The gymnasts are posing around an inverted triangle: Springfield College’s emblem. The Tableaux as used in gymnastics performances was created by Springfield College alumnus Leslie J. Judd (class of 1920), who went on to become a famous gymnastics coach at his alma mater (1921-1956). Tableaux, essentially, means living picture, and it is performed by costumed actors who remain silent and motionless. Tableaux have been used throughout theatrical history, but Judd transformed the idea. Coach Judd and Coach Frank Wolcott, his successor, created Tableaux that expressed ideals and commemorated moments in history. Tableaux are still performed by Springfield College gymnasts. Luther Halsey Gulick designed the red, inverted, equilateral triangle seal while serving as a faculty member at the School for Christian Workers, now known as Springfield College. The trustees, faculty, and students officially adopted the seal in June 1891. In the early 20th century, the YMCA and YWCA also adopted the emblem. In 1968, the seal was registered as a trademark with the United States Patent Office. This document also covers Springfield College’s early history and Dr. Gulick’s background. Gulick intended the symbol to represent the three united natures of a complete man: physical, mental, and spiritual. For biographical information on Frank Wolcott, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/54. "Body" is handwritten on the photograph, perhaps due to fact that original print was faded;
Date:
[1921?–1955?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Gymnastics
Springfield College--Gymnastics--Exhibition team
Springfield College--Sports
Springfield College--Sports--Men
Tableaux
Triangles
Gymnasts
Gymnastics
Exhibitions
Athletes
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/7883
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
ms514-01-f-05-08-003