Sphinx and putto

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This sphinx with putto is situated in front of the Upper Belvedere. Sphinxes were set up in baroque palaces as a symbolic expression of strength and wisdom. The Upper Belvedere is 23 metres higher than the Lower Belvedere. The sculptures in the garden between the two buildings reflect the ascent from the underworld to mount Olympus. Here, these sphinxes play the role of guardians of Olympus. Unlike the Egiptian sphinx, the Greek ones have a female face, a lion body, eagle's wings on their back and a serpent's tail. In the Greek mythology the sphinx is seen as a powerful monster sent by the Gods to punish people on earth. The ones who were not able to solve the Sphinx' riddle, would be devoured.