The Red Sphinx 

Odilon Redon rendered ‘The Red Sphinx’ with oil on canvas, conjuring a dreamlike vision. At its heart, the sphinx—a creature of ancient Egypt and Greece—traditionally embodies enigma and guardianship. Here, Redon veers from the stoic, recumbent pose we often see. Clad in vibrant red, this sphinx appears almost as a vibrant, pulsating form against a backdrop of floral imagery. The color red, often associated with passion and vitality, clashes intriguingly with the sphinx's symbolic weight of ancient wisdom and the unknown. This evokes the symbol's journey through time, transforming from the monolithic guardian of the pyramids to a symbol laden with new, personal meaning in Redon's hands. It powerfully engages our subconscious, stirring a sense of mystery and inviting us to contemplate the ever-changing nature of symbols.