Perseus op Pegasus 1651 - 1691

This engraving by Charles de La Haye depicts Perseus astride Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek myth, soaring through the heavens. Both figures are potent symbols: Perseus, the hero who dared to slay Medusa, and Pegasus, born from the slain Gorgon’s blood, representing wisdom and fame. Consider how the image of the winged horse—a symbol of imagination and the swift journey of the soul—reappears throughout history. From ancient Assyrian reliefs to Renaissance tapestries, and even modern logos, the winged horse embodies aspiration and transcendence. Yet its meaning shifts. It can represent divine inspiration or, perhaps, the untamed forces of the subconscious mind. Reflect on how the collective memory of such images works upon us. A symbol like Pegasus engages on a deep, subconscious level, stirring emotions and ideas linked to a universal yearning for freedom and escape from earthly bounds. It is a powerful emblem, resurfacing and evolving across time, each appearance echoing past meanings while adapting to new cultural landscapes.