“That looks like me trying to teach criminal law” a professor once quipped about the Bellerophon Taming Pegasus sculpture. This magnificent bronze artwork dominates the landscape. It stands proudly above the west entrance of Jerome Greene Hall on Revson Plaza at Columbia University. The Bellerophon Taming Pegasus sculpture is more than just a statue. It’s a testament to human ambition and the struggle to master the forces of nature.
Created by the renowned sculptor Jacques Lipchitz the Bellerophon Taming Pegasus is a monumental piece. It measures approximately 30 feet by 28 feet. It stands on a 27-foot high pedestal. This makes it the second-largest metal statue in New York City after the Statue of Liberty. Lipchitz completed the sculpture after his death in 1973. It was finally dedicated on November 28 1977.
The sculpture depicts the Greek hero Bellerophon wrestling with the winged horse Pegasus. Pegasus’s hooves wings and tail splay dramatically around the central figures. This powerful image captures the struggle between humanity and the untamed power of nature. Lipchitz himself saw it as man taming nature. He famously stated “You observe nature make conclusions and from these you make rules and law is born from that”. Interestingly the Bellerophon Taming Pegasus draws inspiration from Lipchitz’s earlier work Birth of the Muses. That sculpture depicts Pegasus landing on Mount Olympus.
The Bellerophon Taming Pegasus wasn’t a quick project. Commissioned in 1966 it took eleven years to complete. Enlargements made from plaster casts in 1969 disappointed Lipchitz. He even wanted to restart the entire project. The sculpture was cast in bronze at Pietrasanta Italy. It was shipped in pieces to New York City. Its installation took six days. The final construction and dedication followed.
So here we stand before this incredible work. Consider its scale its history and its symbolic meaning. The Bellerophon Taming Pegasus isn’t simply a decorative element. It’s a powerful piece of art that compels contemplation. It is a reminder of humanity’s persistent attempt to control the natural world and the enduring power of mythology. It’s a masterpiece that deserves our admiration and attention. This awe-inspiring sculpture truly deserves its place as a landmark in New York City.