Artwork
Oedipus Going into Exile from Thebes
Oedipus Going into Exile from Thebes is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Henri Augustin Gambard. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Oedipus Going into Exile from Thebes is an 1843 oil painting by French artist Henri Augustin Gambard, currently part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a somber scene from ancient Greek mythology, specifically Oedipus's exile. A central female figure in white extends her arm, possibly Antigone guiding or mourning Oedipus, who is shown in a red robe, overcome with grief. The scene conveys a sense of sorrow and departure.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work features a mix of standing, sitting, and recumbent figures in classical attire against a detailed ancient cityscape backdrop, complete with architecture and a statue. The composition balances figural emphasis with environmental context.
History & Provenance
Created in 1843, the painting's history prior to its acquisition by the Detroit Institute of Arts is not detailed here. It is now part of the institute's permanent collection.
Context
The work reflects 19th-century European interest in classical Greek themes and mythology, often explored through dramatic, emotionally charged scenes. Gambard's approach aligns with this broader artistic trend.
Artist & collection
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The Predication of Saint Paul
Pylades and Orestes Brought as Victims before Iphigenia
Cleombrotus Ordered into Banishment by Leonidas II, King of Sparta
Brutus condemning his sons to death
Susannah accused of adultery
Massacre of the Innocents
"Seigneur! Voyez ces yeux" (Cleopatra Discovered by Rodogune to Have Poisoned the Nuptial Cup)
Minerva and Arachne
Regulus Returning to Carthage