Pegasus with Nymphs 17th-18th century

Curator: This is "Pegasus with Nymphs," a pen and brown ink drawing attributed to Michel II Corneille, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The paper is irregular, roughly 11 by 11 centimeters. It feels so intimate, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, intimate but also classical! The composition, with the winged horse and bathing nymphs, evokes familiar themes of beauty and power. I wonder, what did Pegasus symbolize in Corneille's time? Curator: Well, the Pegasus myth was experiencing a resurgence in artistic and intellectual circles, representing poetic inspiration. The nymphs, often associated with bodies of water, enhance that sense of creative genesis. It speaks to the academy’s values at the time. Editor: The nymphs do give off this feeling of purification and renewal. I find their gazes are all directed towards Pegasus, this embodiment of creative force, which is quite powerful. Curator: It is! Seeing the artwork displayed in a contemporary museum context gives it an additional layer of meaning, underscoring its timeless appeal. Editor: Absolutely, and it reminds us how enduring these classical images remain.