“The Death of Oedipus,” a captivating mythological painting created by Henry Fuseli in 1784, is an exemplary work from the Romanticism art movement. The artwork vividly portrays a poignant moment from Greek mythology, encapsulating the intense emotions and dramatic atmosphere characteristic of Fuseli’s style.
The composition features a somber scene centered around an elderly, bearded man, presumably Oedipus, who appears to be in a state of distress or contemplation. His arms are raised in a gesture of sorrow or resignation, and his expression is one of profound anguish. Flanking Oedipus are two young women, likely his daughters, who are depicted in positions of mourning and support. They cling to their father, their faces and bodies conveying grief and despair. The dim, almost ethereal lighting focuses on the figures, casting the rest of the scene in shadow, thereby emphasizing the tragic narrative. Fuseli’s use of dramatic contrasts and dynamic forms enhances the emotional intensity of the artwork, rendering it a powerful depiction of mythological sorrow and human suffering.
