Oedipus et PhorbasFélix Lecomte · 1771

A Narrative in Marble

In 1771, Félix Lecomte presented this marble sculpture as his morceau de réception to the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. The work captures a moment of profound mythological tension, depicting the interaction between Oedipus and Phorbas. The composition is defined by a sense of suspended animation, where the weight of the stone is used to suggest fluid movement and psychological depth. A central figure lifts a garment to reveal another figure beneath, creating a complex interplay of limbs and drapery. The polished surface of the white marble catches the light to emphasize the anatomical precision of the musculature and the deep folds of the cascading fabric.

Technical Composition and Detail

The sculpture utilizes dynamic lines to guide the viewer's eye through the narrative scene. The artist demonstrates a command over textural contrast, distinguishing the smoothness of skin from the heavy, rhythmic folds of the drapery.

• Material: Marble
• Subject: Oedipus and Phorbas
• Date: 1771
• Inventory Number: RF 4009

Historical Context and Legacy

Created during the transition from the Rococo to the Neoclassical era, the piece reflects the emerging emphasis on order and moral gravity. This work moved from the collection of the Académie to the Musée du Louvre, eventually being inventoried in 1986. It remains a significant example of late 18th-century French sculpture, bridging the decorative elegance of the previous age with the disciplined clarity of the new.