This painting by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (1783 – 1853) was inspired by stories about the legendary ancient Greek character, Oedipus, and his dutiful daughter, Antigone. Specifically, Eckersberg’s artwork brings to life a scene from late in Oedipus’ complicated life. To recap, Oedipus was the estranged son of the king or tyrant, Laius, of Thebes and his wife Jocasta, but the newborn’s fate was cursed by an oracle that predicted he would one day kill his father. Due to this prophecy, baby Oedipus was murderously abandoned by King Laius, but the agents tasked with disposing of the child decided to give the baby another chance and arranged for him to be brought to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth. Oedipus was accepted by the Corinthian royals and he grew to love his adoptive family. Yet, his fate was once more ravaged by prophecy—this time, the oracle foretold that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Hearing this, Oedipus decided to never return to Corinth to spare his adopted parents from possible harm.
Oedipus’ travels brought him in the direction of Thebes, where he indeed unknowingly killed his father, Laius, and married his mother, Jocasta. Oedipus and Jocasta (who were not aware of their mother-son connection at the time) had four children: two daughters, Antigone and Ismene, as well as two sons, Polynices and Eteocles. Although the family initially lived in happy ignorance, the truth eventually came out, which had devastating consequences for Oedipus’ family. After discovering the truth, Jocasta ended her own life; Oedipus blinded himself and abdicated his power to go into exile; this caused Polynices and Eteocles to erupt into a civil war over their father’s vacated throne. Oedipus’ daughters, unlike his sons, stood by their father and continued to actively care for him. Ismene tracked down further oracles and prophecies in hopes of improving Oedipus’ fate. Antigone, meanwhile, stayed with her father to act as his constant guide and aide. This father-daughter partnership was featured in the play, Oedipus at Colonus, written by the Athenian playwright, Sophocles (c. 496-406/405 BCE). He wrote:
“Antigone, from the time she left her childhood behind
and came into full strength, has volunteered for grief,
wandering with me [Oedipus], leading the old misery, hungry,
feet cut through the bristling woods…
an eternity—worn down by the drenching rains,
the scorching suns at noon. Hard labor,
but you endured it all, never a second thought
for home, a decent life, so long as your father
had some care and comfort.”
(Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus, around line 340-350)
It is this imagery of Antigone guiding Oedipus through the bristling woods of the Greek countryside that inspired the painting featured above. According to the aforementioned playwright, the wanderings of Oedipus and Antigone ultimately brought them to Colonus, which was within walking distance of Athens and the reigning Athenian king, Theseus. Oedipus spent his final days at Colonus, cursing the unfilial conduct of his sons to the bitter end. Antigone, after her father’s death, returned to Thebes and worked alongside her sister Ismene to attempt (unsuccessfully) to end the civil war between their brothers. In the end, Polynices and Eteocles slew each other in battle, resulting in Thebes coming under the rule of their uncle, Creon, who soon after imprisoned Antigone and Ismene.
Sources:
- Sophocles, Three Theban Plays: Antigone; Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus, translated by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1982, 1984, 2018.
- http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0190%3Acard%3D337
- https://collection.nationalmuseum.se/sv/collection/item/183640/
- https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/2064116/Museu_ProvidedCHO_Nationalmuseum__Sweden_183640
