Art, Symbol & Imagination
Oedipus, the Sphinx and Laius: Emblem XXXIX
Two men confront one another on a road while a winged Sphinx occupies the middle distance. Further small figures continue the story across the landscape. Emblem XXXIX combines Oedipus overcoming the Sphinx with the killing of Laius and his unrecognised family relations.
Read the source pageLoading your collection…
Citation
Matthaeus Merian. "Oedipus, the Sphinx and Laius: Emblem XXXIX" [editorial title]. In Atalanta Fugiens, Michael Maier. Inspected engraved title: Oppenheim, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de Bry, M DC XVIII (1618). Latin and German historical printing with musical fugues and engraved emblems, final errata. Printing date checked on an enlarged crop of the existing title derivative. No modern English translation or new commentary., 1618, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de Bry. Source scan leaf 173. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/maier-oedipus-sphinx
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Descriptive title supplied for browsing. The complete original page retains its Latin motto, epigram, margins and paper tone. The scene belongs to Maier’s historical alchemical allegory.
Sources
From the book
Atalanta FugiensMichael Maier1618More from this book
All 50 illustrations
Related illustrations
Cite this illustration
Matthaeus Merian. Oedipus, the Sphinx and Laius: Emblem XXXIX. Atalanta Fugiens. Scan leaf 173. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/maier-oedipus-sphinx