Oedipus and the Sphinx

Image credit: Freud Museum London

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This translation of Jean-Auguste-Dominque Ingres’ neo-classical painting ‘Oedipus Explaining the Enigma of the Sphinx’ hung next to Freud’s couch in Berggasse 19, Vienna.

The sphinx’s sensual and sexual feminine identity is given particular prominence in this artwork, which makes it all the more surprising that Freud associated the Sphinx with the father in his discussion of the Oedipus Complex.

Freud Museum London

London

Title

Oedipus and the Sphinx

Date

1867

Medium

engraving on paper

Measurements

H 25.2 x W 20.6 cm

Accession number

LDFRD 6405

Work type

Print

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Normally on display at

Freud Museum London

20 Maresfield Gardens, London, Greater London NW3 5SX England

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