The artwork “Oedipus and the Sphinx” by Gustave Moreau, created in 1864, is an oil painting on canvas measuring 105 x 206 cm. This mythological painting, emblematic of the Symbolism art movement, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork depicts the intense mythological confrontation between Oedipus and the Sphinx, set against a rocky, dramatic landscape. Oedipus, a strong and composed figure clad in a green drapery, stands prominently to the right, gripping a red staff. He looks challengingly into the eyes of the Sphinx, a creature with the head of a woman, the body of a lioness, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a serpent, who is seen hanging onto Oedipus. The Sphinx, with a crown-like adornment on her head, is positioned on a narrow ledge, clawing onto Oedipus’s chest, symbolizing the perilous nature of their encounter. The background, marked by towering cliffs and a tempestuous sky, enhances the tension and drama of this legendary narrative moment. Below, dismembered limbs and a skull emphasize the grizzly fate that has befallen others who failed to solve the Sphinx’s riddle. The composition masterfully balances mythological pathos with a detailed and almost otherworldly realism, characteristic of Moreau’s visionary style.
