Elegant Art Humour: FUSELI’S “ŒDIPUS AND HIS DAUGHTERS.”

This picture was a work of far higher order than his “Nightmare,” although the latter caught the[Pg 67] public fancy most. It is distinguished by
singular power, full of feeling and terror. The desolate old man is seated on the ground, and his whole frame seems inspired with a presentiment of the coming vengeance of heaven. His daughters are clasping him wildly, and the sky seems mustering the thunder and fire in which the tragic bard has made him disappear. “Pray, sir, what is that old man afraid of?” said some one to Fuseli, when the picture was exhibited. “Afraid, sir,” exclaimed the painter, “why, afraid of going to hell!”