Image: Bellerophon riding Pegasus and killing the Chimera, Roman mosaic, the Rolin Museum in Autun, France, 2nd to 3rd century AD

Description: From the website of the Musée Rolin in Autun, France, describing this scene of Greek mythology in a Principate era Gallo-Roman mosaic, the provenance of the artwork, and the history of its public exhibition (translated from French): This large medallion is the central part (emblema) of a 110m2 mosaic. This sumptuous floor decoration certainly took place in the reception hall of an aristocratic residence. Discovered in Autun in 1830, it was first presented there, then bought by the State for the Louvre, then the Museum of National Antiquities, before returning to the Rolin Museum in 1985. The carpet, bordered by a strip of acanthus foliage, deployed geometric, vegetal and crater patterns in an elaborate composition. A central hexagon integrated the circular medallion and swan motifs filled the gaps between these two geometric shapes. The medallion treats on a black background the subject of Bellerophon riding Pegasus and slaying the chimera, a monster with the body of a lion, a goat and a serpent. Here the hero is about to ram his spear into the animal's throat. This theme evokes the victory of intelligence and bravery over evil, and Bellerophon is a model of an ancient hero. The same posture will be taken up in Christian times in the iconography of Saint George. The color contrasts and the quality of the drawing offer a composition with great delicacy, which gives this mosaic medallion an almost pictorial quality.
Usage Terms: Public domain