Oedipus en de sfinx Possibly 1864 - 1866

Firmin Gillot's sketch, "Oedipus and the Sphinx," pulls us into a moment heavy with symbolic meaning. Here, the Sphinx—part woman, part lion, part bird— embodies ancient wisdom and deadly challenge, set against Oedipus who stands tall and bare before her. The Sphinx, derived from ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions, evolved from a symbol of guardianship to a terrifying monster of riddles. The encounter between Oedipus and the Sphinx is not merely a test of intellect but a confrontation with fate, a symbol mirrored in countless tales of heroes facing their inner demons. This echoes through history, with the imagery of creatures guarding thresholds. Gillot captures the psychological tension inherent in this ancient motif. The sketch reminds us that symbols persist, evolving across time, carrying echoes of past fears and triumphs into our present understanding.