According to the legendary myth of Bellerophon and Pegasus, the Chimera terrorized the city where it lived until it was slain by the great hero. The statute is said to be relatively 'stereotypical.' "The posture of the beast, with the mouth open, the body arching up, and the legs stiffly stretched forward, is always the same. It seems that the ancient artists who took up the task of painting or sculpting a Chimera thought that it was their duty to be as faithful as possible to the well-known and accepted canons" (Bardi 1997).

Similarly, the lions adorning the front of the Corcoran Gallery could be said to be fairly typical of depictions of reclining lions (there is no notable innovation in their features and manner) although it is somewhat unusual that unlike most guardian lions they are not standing and alert, and do not show any particular signs of either...
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