Italian School C.1750 – Athena Appearing To Bellerophon With Pegasus, Ink Drawing
ITALIAN SCHOOL, circa 1750
ATHENA APPEARING TO BELLEROPHON
Pen and brown ink on paper
14.5 × 21 cm
Framed: 17 × 23 cm
In small, rapidly executed drawings of this kind, the mythological subject can often be difficult to identify. Here, however, several details suggest a particularly rare episode from the story of Bellerophon.
The scene recalls Pindar’s Thirteenth Olympian Ode, in which Athena appears to Bellerophon in a dream and presents him with a golden bridle. With this divine gift, the hero is able to capture and tame Pegasus. The goddess appears to be holding the bridle while pointing towards the winged horse visible in the distance.
The lively and economical penwork suggests that the drawing may have been conceived as a preliminary study for a larger mythological composition.
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Good condition
Material: Paper
Length: 21 cm
Height: 14,5 cm
Reference (ID): 1803195
Availability: In stock
