Pegasus and Bellerophon
Pegasus and Bellerophon
En Grisaille Oil on Canvas, after a 16th-Century Italian Relief
This large-scale oil on canvas painting by acclaimed American artist Philip Melville Courtney presents a masterful en grisaille interpretation of a sixteenth-century Italian relief sculpture, bringing the classical myth of Pegasus and Bellerophon vividly into the present. Executed with extraordinary technical precision, the work recreates the visual language of carved stone through subtle tonal gradations, achieving a convincing illusion of sculptural depth while preserving the atmospheric richness unique to oil painting. Rendered entirely in nuanced tones of limestone, parchment, and warm gray, the composition captures Pegasus in a moment of restrained power, wings unfurled in rhythmic relief, while the vulnerable, coiled figure of Bellerophon anchors the scene below.
Courtney’s disciplined draftsmanship and profound understanding of anatomy allow the figures to emerge as if shaped by centuries of time, evoking the gravitas and elegance of Renaissance Italian relief sculpture. This painting represents a compelling new genre in Courtney’s practice—the translation of low-relief sculpture into oil on canvas—where mythology, sculpture, and painting converge. Ancient narrative is realized through contemporary mastery, offering collectors a sophisticated re-engagement with classical tradition.
The work is framed in a narrow black floater frame, intentionally selected to create a modernist counterpoint to the ancient subject matter. Its impressive scale makes it a powerful focal point in modern, minimalist, or traditional interiors, lending architectural presence and intellectual depth to any setting.
This painting forms part of Courtney’s newest body of work and marks a significant evolution in his oeuvre—uniting classical rigor with contemporary innovation.
- Creator: Philip Melville Courtney (1962, American)
- Creation Year: 2025
- Dimensions: Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium: Oil
- Movement & Style: Academic
- Period: 2010-
- Condition: New
- Gallery Location: Palm Beach, FL
Inventory #
Price $14,500