Scène uit een gedicht met Pegasus 1776 - 1800

This undated print depicts a scene inspired by a poem, featuring Pegasus, the winged divine stallion of Greek mythology. Pegasus, often seen carrying heroes or gods, symbolizes inspiration, wisdom, and poetic imagination. Notice how he carries a putto, a cherubic winged child that evolved from the ancient Greek god Eros. The image is divided into two registers. Above, Pegasus flies in the sky, below a woman descends on a winged cloud towards a crowd. The motif of winged creatures bridging the earthly and divine realms is not unique to Greek mythology. Think of angels in Christianity, or winged deities in ancient Egyptian art. These symbols speak to a universal human longing for transcendence and connection with higher powers. The emotional impact of such imagery lies in its ability to evoke feelings of hope, awe, and the possibility of escaping earthly constraints. This powerful yearning has been a recurring theme throughout human history and continues to resonate with us today.