Focus on Bonaparte Before the Sphinx and discuss the abstract.
Bonaparte Before the Sphinx (French: Bonaparte devant le Sphinx) is an 1886 painting by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme. It is also known as Oedipus (Œdipe). It depicts Napoleon Bonaparte during his Egyptian campaign, positioned on horseback in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza, with his army in the background.
The painting was presented at the Salon of 1886 under the title Œdipe, evoking the myth of Oedipus and the Sphinx. It popularized Napoleon in front of the Sphinx as a subject in art and caricature. It is located at the Hearst Castle in California.
Napoleon Sphinx Oedipus Salon Napoleon Bonaparte Jean-Léon Gérôme Hearst Egyptian campaign Great Sphinx of Giza Hearst Castle