Ingres - Oedipus Explains the Riddle of the Sphinx [1806-27]

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres -

Œdipe explique l'énigme du sphinx [1806-27]

French Neoclassicism

Louvre Peintures RF 218

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C5%92dipe_explique_l%27%...

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Description of the Painting (Visual Analysis)

 

The painting Œdipe explique l'énigme du sphinx (Oedipus Explains the Riddle of the Sphinx) by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, originally painted in 1808 (the version held in the Louvre was reworked between 1806 and 1827), is a key example of French Neoclassicism. It depicts a pivotal moment from Greek mythology and masterfully combines dramatic narrative with idealised form.

 

In the scene:

•Oedipus stands confidently at the centre, his bare torso muscular and idealised, with a poised and intelligent expression.

•The Sphinx, part woman, part lion, with wings, crouches before him like a predator, her gaze wary and challenging.

•In the background lies a dead man, a victim of the Sphinx (who would kill all who failed to answer her riddle).

•A second male figure, possibly a witness or companion, stands to the left, visibly alarmed or in awe.

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Interpretation

1. The Symbolism of the Riddle and Its Solution

•The riddle itself represents the journey from ignorance to understanding – a central theme in classical drama.

•Oedipus’ answer (“Man”, who crawls on four legs in the morning of life, walks on two at midday, and uses a cane – three legs – in the evening) symbolises self-knowledge and human awareness.

•Ingres underscores this through the hero’s idealised physique: Oedipus embodies not only strength but also reason – the archetype of a classical hero.

2. The Conflict Between Man and Myth

•The Sphinx represents the irrational, animalistic, and enigmatic feminine – a relic of the mythic past.

•Oedipus, by contrast, stands for rational thought overcoming darkness and superstition – a view that echoes Enlightenment ideals, which Neoclassicism often supported.

3. Tension Between Life and Death

•The lifeless figure behind the Sphinx heightens the drama: Oedipus' success is far from assured; it is hard-won.

•The painting captures the moment just before resolution – a scene charged with tension, intellect, and imminent triumph.

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🎨 Stylistic Aspects

•Neoclassicism: Ingres, a pupil of David, draws heavily from the antique. This is evident in:

othe clarity of line,

othe balanced composition,

othe heroic nudity of the male figure.

•Antique inspiration: The sharply outlined forms recall classical reliefs and sculpture.

•The colour palette is restrained; drama arises not from colour, but from gesture and form.

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Significance Within Ingres’ Oeuvre

•This work belongs to Ingres’ early career and was reworked several times until 1827. It reflects his striving for technical perfection and his deep engagement with antiquity.

•It also anticipates a lifelong tension in his art: between classical idealism and romantic expressiveness.

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📌 Conclusion

Œdipe explique l'énigme du sphinx is a painting about reason, humanity, and the triumph of intellect over the unknown. Ingres portrays Oedipus as an idealised hero – mentally and physically superior – who defeats the monstrous through insight. The work stands as a quintessential expression of Neoclassical aesthetics and the intellectual spirit of its time: a return to antique clarity in an age marked by upheaval (Revolution, Napoleon).

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