The Sphinx and the Chimera 1921

"The Sphinx and the Chimera" (1921) is a ceiling painting by American artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925). The painting depicts the mythical creatures, the Sphinx and the Chimera, in a dramatic, symbolic encounter. This work exemplifies Sargent's later artistic style, which combined his mastery of realism with a more decorative and symbolic approach. Sargent's use of color and light creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, while the figures are rendered with a level of detail that captures their unique and fantastic nature.