The Fall of Phaeton 1533

Michelangelo rendered The Fall of Phaeton with pen and brown ink, and it now resides in the British Museum. Here, the tragic fall of Phaeton, son of Helios, is captured through the dramatic chaos of tumbling horses and figures expressing distress. Observe the recurring motif of the "pathos formula" in the figures below, embodying primal expressions of grief. This motif echoes through antiquity, seen in ancient Greek sculptures depicting mourning figures, their gestures—hands clasped to the head, faces contorted in anguish. Such gestures tap into collective memory, resonating with universal experiences of sorrow. Consider how these symbols migrate across time, reappearing in different guises yet retaining their emotional core. The dynamism and emotional intensity is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This potent imagery, born from classical myth, resurfaces, evolves, and adopts new meanings throughout history.