Who painted The Sphinx, or, The Caresses?

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses was painted by Fernand Khnopff in 1898.

Where can I see The Sphinx, or, The Caresses?

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses is held by Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

What movement is The Sphinx, or, The Caresses?

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses is associated with Symbolism.

Artwork

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses

Fernand Khnopff , 1898

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Fernand Khnopff. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

About this work

The Sphinx, or, The Caresses is a painting by Fernand Khnopff. It's an oil paint work from 1896.

This painting is notable for its depiction of androgyny. It's also an interpretation of Gustave Moreau's 1864 painting Oedipus and the Sphinx, showing Khnopff's interest in exploring themes from other artists.

You can learn more about the artist behind this work, Fernand Khnopff.

Overview

Fernand Khnopff’s 1896 oil painting, titled The Sphinx, or, The Caresses, is held in the permanent collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. The work exemplifies the Symbolist movement’s fascination with mythic subjects and psychological nuance, presenting a solitary figure that merges human and animal traits.

Subject & Meaning

The composition reinterprets the myth of Oedipus and the Sphinx, echoing Gustave Moreau’s 1864 treatment of the same theme. Khnopff emphasizes an ambiguous, androgynous presence, inviting contemplation of identity, desire, and the enigmatic nature of the mythic creature.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays Khnopff’s characteristic smooth brushwork and muted palette, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The figure’s elongated form and subtle chiaroscuro reinforce the Symbolist aesthetic of inner vision over realistic representation.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the work has remained in Belgium, entering the Royal Museum of Fine Arts’ collection where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Symbolist holdings. Its presence in the collection underscores Khnopff’s importance within Belgian art history.

Legacy

The image has been referenced in later popular culture, notably influencing the cover art for David Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs album, designed by Guy Peellaert, and appearing as a plot element in Greg Egan’s 1995 short story “The Caress” from the collection Axiomatic.

Artist & collection

Artist

Fernand Khnopff

Fernand Edmond Jean Marie Khnopff (12 September 1858 – 12 November 1921) was a Belgian symbolist painter and one of the founding members of the avant-garde group Les XX in 1883.