Bellerophon and Pegasus

Art Historical Context

In the Drawings and Prints department of the Museum of Art, Bert Thorvaldsen's *Bellerophon and Pegasus* (. 1790–1844) captures a dynamic moment from Greek mythology. The Danish neoclassical sculptor depicts the hero Bellerophon, nude and poised triumphantly astride the winged horse Pegasus, symbolizing human mastery over the divine. Thorvaldsen, a figure of Neoclassicism who spent much of his career in Rome drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art, reviving their ideals of heroic proportion and idealized anatomy during the late Enlightenment era. Executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk or graphite on a modest sheet (6 5/8 × 4 15/16 in.), this intimate drawing exemplifies Thorvaldsen's preparatory techniques. The fluid lines and subtle washes build volume and shadow, highlighting the male nude's muscular form—a hallmark of neoclassical reverence for the antique body. Such studies often informed his grand marble sculptures, blending technical precision with poetic narrative. Acquired through the Harry G. Sperling Fund in 2013, this work offers visitors a glimpse into Thorvaldsen's creative process, bridging mythology and 19th-century revivalism. It invites reflection on timeless themes of heroism and aspiration, rendered with elegant restraint.

About the Artist

Bertel Thorvaldsen · 1770–1844

Danish sculptor. Comment on works: sculptor