Sketch for ‘Bellerophon Taming Pegasus’ 1964

Editor: This is Jacques Lipchitz’s plaster sketch for ‘Bellerophon Taming Pegasus.’ It’s powerful! All that struggle captured in this small sculpture; what statements do you think Lipchitz was trying to make with this piece? Curator: Lipchitz, grappling with the rise of fascism, frequently used mythological subjects to explore themes of power, control, and ultimately, resistance. Bellerophon's taming of Pegasus could be seen as a metaphor for the subjugation of freedom. How does the raw, almost violent texture of the plaster contribute to this interpretation? Editor: I see what you mean. The roughness definitely adds to the feeling of conflict and the difficulty of Bellerophon's task. Curator: Exactly. And consider the pedestal – a classical form supporting this turbulent scene. Does that contrast suggest anything about the supposed stability of tradition in the face of upheaval? Editor: Wow, I hadn't thought about that. I was too focused on the figures. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Of course. It is vital to not only consider the what, but also the how and why.