Bellerophon Taming Pegasus

This group, one of the earliest and most famous small bronzes of the Renaissance, was modelled and signed by Bertoldo di Giovanni. He was a student of Donatello and teacher of Michelangelo, and belonged to the artistic circle around Lorenzo de’ Medici, “il Magnifico.” Aided by Pegasus, Bellerophon tried unsuccessfully to ride to Olympus, which is why he is considered a symbol of human arrogance.