The Mystical Knight (Oedipus and the Sphinx) 1869

Odilon Redon created "The Mystical Knight" in France, using pastel to conjure a world of myth and inner vision. The image depicts Oedipus, the legendary hero, having vanquished the Sphinx. Redon was working in a period defined by the rise of symbolism and a rejection of academic realism. In this context, classical subjects became less about historical accuracy and more about psychological depth. Redon uses Oedipus and the Sphinx to explore themes of knowledge, fate, and the subconscious, resonating with the intellectual currents of his time. Note the ambiguous, dreamlike quality of the scene, characteristic of Redon's departure from traditional artistic conventions. As historians, we delve into Redon's personal writings, as well as the literary and philosophical texts that shaped his era, to understand the nuances of his visual language. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on the cultural moment from which it arose.