kryptos

Kryptos is a copper sculpture created by American artist Jim Sanborn, installed in 1990 at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters in Langley, Virginia. It is presented as a commemorative sculpture that includes a long inscription divided into four encrypted messages labeled K1 through K4. The work is notable for combining art with cryptography, inviting public and expert engagement with classical cipher techniques.

The inscriptions on Kryptos are designed as a sequence of puzzles, each using different cryptographic methods. The first three sections (K1–K3) have been publicly deciphered by cryptographers and puzzle enthusiasts over the years, revealing substantial passages that draw on historical and literary themes. The final section, K4, remains publicly unsolved. The artist has provided hints intended to guide solvers, and the ongoing puzzle has generated sustained interest within the cryptographic community.

Access to the sculpture is restricted, as it is located on CIA property, though it is visible from certain public vantage points and has been the subject of media coverage, scholarly analysis, and popular puzzle culture. Kryptos has become a widely cited example in discussions of public art and cryptography, illustrating how artistic works can incorporate real-world codes and invite collaborative problem-solving.

In addition to its artistic and intellectual significance, Kryptos has inspired books, articles, and conferences dedicated to cryptography and the study of puzzle inscriptions. It stands as one of the most famous modern cryptographic challenges embedded in an artwork.