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Pegasus

Leo Katz (American, born in Czechoslovakia, 1887–1982)
Printed with: Atelier 17, New York
1945

Medium/Technique Engraving and soft-ground etching
Dimensions Sheet: 34.8 x 45 cm (13 11/16 x 17 11/16 in.)
Platemark: 25 x 30 cm (9 13/16 x 11 13/16 in.)
Credit Line Gift of L. Aaron Lebowich
Accession Number51.1460
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Katz (2022) p. 35
DescriptionArtist's description: "This composition tried to express symbolically, the condition of the creative spirit at the end of World War II. Pegasus the winged horse, the dream symbol of man's creative imagination, tries to get out from under the remains of barbed wires and nets among the concrete tank traps. He makes a feeble attempt to rise on his forelegs. In the distance there are still explosions. The dark mesh, which arches over the horse, has a suggestion of a pelvic form which would indicate that awakening is more like birth. I had a feeling at that time (1945) that the great question of our era is whether this birth, or rebirth, of Pegasus will be a living, lasting success or not. It is not enough to have rockets and bombers flying high in the air while man's creative soul with its dreams is permanently grounded."
ProvenanceGift of L. Aaron Lebowich, Boston to MFA; June 14, 1951