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Oedipus and the Sphinx

1864
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 800

The legendary Greek prince Oedipus confronts the malevolent Sphinx, who torments travelers with a riddle: What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening? Remains of victims who answered incorrectly litter the foreground. (The solution is the human, who crawls as a baby, strides upright in maturity, and uses a cane in old age.) Moreau made his mark with this painting at the Paris Salon of 1864. Despite the growing prominence of depictions of everyday life, he portrayed biblical, mythological, and imagined stories. His otherworldly imagery attracted a younger generation that included Odilon Redon and Oscar Wilde.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Oedipus and the Sphinx
  • Artist: Gustave Moreau (French, Paris 1826–1898 Paris)
  • Date: 1864
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 81 1/4 × 41 1/4 in. (206.4 × 104.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of William H. Herriman, 1920
  • Object Number: 21.134.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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6002. Oedipus and the Sphinx

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More Artwork

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Sphinx in a Grotto (Poet, King and Warrior), Gustave Moreau French, Watercolor and gouache on paper, varnished
Sphinx in a Grotto (Poet, King and Warrior)
Gustave Moreau
1887–1888
Saint Cecilia, Gustave Moreau French, Gouache and watercolor over graphite on wove paper mounted to wood panel
Saint Cecilia
Gustave Moreau
ca. 1890–95
Salomé Dancing Before the Head of St. John the Baptist, Gustave Moreau French, Graphite, watercolor and gouache on cream wove paper
Salomé Dancing Before the Head of St. John the Baptist
Gustave Moreau
mid to late 19th century
Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, Gustave Moreau French, Oil on wood
Salome with the Head of John the Baptist
Gustave Moreau
ca. 1876
Seated Peasant, Paul Cézanne French, Oil on canvas
Seated Peasant
Paul Cézanne
ca. 1892–96

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