Moreau's interpretation of the Greek myth draws heavily on Ingres' Oedipus and the Sphinx of 1808 (Musée du Louvre, Paris), which was exhibited in Paris in 1846 and 1855. Both painters chose to represent the moment when Oepidus confronted the winged monster in a rocky pass outside the city of Thebes. Unlike her other victims, he could answer her riddle and thus saved himself and the besieged Thebans. The painting was a success at the Salon of 1864; it won a medal and established Moreau's reputation. Moreau made more than thirty studies for this work and many repetitions after it.

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