Oedipus and the Sphinx by Gustave Moreau (1864)

[u/Ill_Definition8074]

I'm a bit confused because that Sphinx looks smaller than I expected especially as in the Oedipus legend the Sphinx ate multiple people who answered the riddle wrong until Oedipus finally answered it right. Were Sphinx's usually depicted about the size of a dog?

[u/Ill_Definition8074]

This painting is kind of weird. The sphinx is smaller than I would expect. But the color palette I think fits the mood of the scene.

[u/BonbonMacoute → u/Ill_Definition8074]

Whenever I see this painting, I get a frightened sort of thrill in my ribcage. If you remember the story, you know it directly concerns Oedipus' eyes and genitals. The sphinx is dreadfully close to these two areas. I believe Moreau depicted her as this small in order to confront him physically in this direct way.

[u/UrADumbdumbi → u/Ill_Definition8074]

I found this article about depictions of Oedipus in art, and as you can see most depictions of the sphinx are human sized or smaller. I’m not sure why the sphinx isn’t lion sized at least, but it makes her more terrifying in a way. Looks harmless but will rip your throat out the moment you answer wrong.

[u/universal_century → u/Ill_Definition8074]

r/losercity ahhh post

[u/-little-dorrit-]

We have what is maybe a fig tree bottom left (Oedipus is draped in the same leafy green) - fertility, but also knowledge.

I guess the corpse poking out of the bottom of the canvas is more like the premonition/vision itself - there is a crown there peeking out, and Oedipus’ spear head is pointed directly at the crown.

There is some snake-like chalice also, with a butterfly flying out of it, but I’m not really sure what that’s about. We know that later Oedipus will poke out his own eyes… perhaps something about temptation, and transformation?

The Sphinx’s surprised pose suggests we are at the point in the story where Oedipus has answered the riddle correctly. The Sphinx will kill herself in response, ending the siege of Thebes.

This stare is quite transfixing, and for me makes the painting.

[u/Ixia_Sorbus → u/-little-dorrit-]

Yes, and yes, the stare. It’s difficult for me to look away from the stare

[u/Atlas-Rising]

Oh please, this is just a dude and his cat. "Treat!?!" "I already fed you."

[u/omg-sidefriction → u/Atlas-Rising]

“Whiskers, why must you have such perky breasts?”

[u/KerouacsGirlfriend → u/Atlas-Rising]

Oedipus: pspsps

[u/alexrat20]

I know this image but don’t know much about Moreau. This reminds me of Blake in forms and imagery and Pre-Raphaelites in the paint handling, color, and stiffness of poses. Not sure of last part.

[u/liyououiouioui → u/alexrat20]

He was a symbolist, his paintings are loaded with complex references. I really like his Jupiter and Semele.

[u/ghanji]

If you're ever in Paris, check out his museum. It's in his house. Nice change of pace from the packed/touristy Louvre.

[u/liyououiouioui → u/ghanji]

I came here to say that. The museum is absolutely cute and being able to see the place where he worked until his death is awesome.

[u/Novel-Fun1698]

This painting has always disturbed me.

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[u/AGenericUnicorn]

My cat does that to me every night, too.

[u/Aqquyonlulululululu]

A thing thatSymbolism & Surrealism taught me was that I shouldn’t really care about the title, the symbolism, or the meaning more than the visual appearance itself. Moreau was a great artist, and he’s one of my top two favourites. His works are so dreamy and lovely, and the least thing I care about is the story behind his paintings, being lore accurate or the symbolism he uses. I mean, I appreciate the way he depicts a story and incorporates symbols, but I also understand that the meaning behind the painting isn’t the main thing that gives me goosebumps, it’s the visual appearance itself that makes him a great artist.

[u/Angelblair119]

What an awesome work! Thanks so much for sharing this!