Sphinx 1904

Franz von Stuck painted this Sphinx, sometime between 1895 and 1928, during a period that saw the rise of Symbolism and a renewed interest in mythological and mysterious themes. The painting presents a nude female figure, the Sphinx, reclining in a dark, cavernous setting, challenging traditional representations by centralizing female power and sexuality. The male gaze is subverted here, as the viewer becomes vulnerable under the Sphinx’s enigmatic, self-possessed stare. In the 19th century, the Sphinx became an important symbol to explore anxieties around shifting gender roles and the perceived threat of female sexuality. The male fear of the 'femme fatale' found expression in this mythical creature who lures men to their doom. Von Stuck’s work is both a reflection of and a challenge to these societal anxieties. The emotional pull of this piece lies in its ability to evoke a sense of unease, confronting us with timeless questions of power, gender, and the unknown.