Medium Large XlargeOil on canvas, 206 x 105 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Continuing his journey to Thebes, Oedipus encounters the Sphinx who would stop all those who traveled to Thebes and ask them a riddle. If the travelers were unable to answer correctly, they were eaten by the Sphinx; if they were successful, they would be able to continue their journey. The riddle was: "What walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon and three at night?" (Wikipedia)
Technorati Tags: moreau, oedipus, sphinx, 1864, wings, confrontation, riddle
