Bellerophon 1990

Curator: Jerome Mesnager’s “Bellerophon,” created in 1990 using acrylic paint, certainly has a striking composition. The stark white figure against that deep blue... what are your initial thoughts? Editor: It feels very dreamlike. The contrast is so sharp, and the figures—the horse and rider—seem almost ethereal. The blue is also dominant, and creates such a specific atmosphere. I am wondering, what key visual elements contribute to its overall effect, would you say? Curator: Notice how Mesnager uses line and form. The figures are delineated with an economy of brushstrokes, creating an almost ghostly presence. And observe how the white pigment almost seems to float above the darker ground. It's as though we're seeing not so much the substance of figures as the impression of their essence. The limited palette, the execution: do they call anything to mind? Editor: The monochromatic palette does lend a unique characteristic and also provides some structural integrity to the canvas. The use of a single tone over such a large ground creates visual consistency... And yet there's still dynamism and depth in it. How much do you think the title guides our interpretation, given it depicts the mythological Bellerophon? Curator: Titles certainly provide a lens, but should not fully constrain the aesthetic appreciation of the composition itself. Consider the swirling effect created by the horse’s body and the figures on the side panels, and how our eyes are drawn to follow their circular lines. These purely compositional choices impact how we interpret Bellerophon’s intent. The cool tones, their saturation, provide a calm ground in relation to these complex structures. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to consider the work, as visual construction foremost. Looking beyond the myth allows us to better appreciate Mesnager's mastery. I learned something today! Curator: Likewise. By focusing on the art elements and their visual interplay, we can unlock the artwork's underlying structure and affect on the eye.