Bellerophon slays the chimera 1893

Walter Crane made this image of Bellerophon slaying the Chimera sometime between 1845 and 1915. It visualizes a scene from Greek Mythology, but does so through the lens of the late 19th century. Crane, deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, championed art's role in social reform. In this image, the classic hero Bellerophon is celebrated. But consider: whose stories get told, and who is cast as the monster? The Chimera, a hybrid of different creatures, could represent the fear of the other. Bellerophon, mounted on Pegasus, embodies a certain kind of masculine heroism, but also the power of the elite to define and conquer. The late 19th century was a time of great social change, anxieties, and a fascination with the past. Through his art, Crane engaged with these themes, but also perpetuated some of the power dynamics of his time. What does it mean to retell old stories?