Oedipus & The Sphinx Antique Art Print ~ Jean Ingres

Antique Goupil & Cie. photogravure art print from the picture by Jean Dominique Augustin Ingres.

Printed on mid-weight ivory colored stock. Reverse side is blank.

Title: Oedipus and the Sphinx

Publication: The Masterpieces of French Art

Publication Year: 1883

Approximate Page Size (in inches): 11 x 14

Approximate Image Size (in inches): 7½ x 10

Condition: Very good. Some minimal foxing in margin area. Atticpaper.com watermark does not appear on actual print.

A fascinating theme for the great dramatists of Greece was the tragic history of Oedipus, -- one of those deeply mysterious, fatalistic records of experience that has continued to cast its spell on human hearts in every age. The story has undergone various changes, but in its commonest form it may be thus briefly outlined: Oedipus was the son of Laius and Iocaste, king and queen of Thebes. The Oracle predicted that if a son were born to Laius, the father would fall by the son's hand. When, therefore, Oedipus was born, he was exposed on Mount Cithaeron. He was found by a shepherd and taken to King Polybus of Corinth, who adopted him as his son. Having once been taunted with not being the son of Polybus, he consulted the Oracle, who informed him that he should slay his father and commit incest with his mother. Believing Polybus to be his father, Oedipus resolved not to return to Corinth. On the road to Daulis he met his real father, Laius, whose charioteer endeavored to push him out of the way, and in the collision Oedipus slew both the servant and Laius, and thus one of the predictions of the Oracle was fulfilled.

Meanwhile the Sphinx had appeared near Thebes. Having settled on a rock, she put a riddle to every passer-by, and slew all who failed to solve it. It was accordingly proclaimed that whoever should deliver the country from this monster should be made king and receive Iocaste as his wife. Oedipus, having fulfilled the conditions, obtained the kingdom, and became the husband of Iocaste. And thus the remaining prediction of the Oracle was fulfilled. A plague now fell upon the country, which could not be stayed till the murderer of Laius was expelled. When Oedipus endeavored to discover the murderer, he ascertained that he himself was the criminal. Upon this revelation, Iocaste hung herself, and Oedipus put out his eyes, and suffered many sorrows until the end of his life.