"Miracles, magic and the power of prophecy are common themes in Waterhouse's art. This is one of his earlier works, and reflects his fascination with the exotic.
The woman in this picture appears to be a witch or priestess, endowed with magic powers, possibly the power of prophecy.
Her dress and general appearance is highly eclectic, and is derived from several sources: she has the swarthy complexion of a woman of middle-eastern origin; her hairstyle is like that of an early Anglo-Saxon; her dress is decorated with Persian or Greek warriors.
In her left hand she holds a crescent-shaped sickle, linking her with the moon and Hecate. With the wand in her right hand she draws a protective magic circle round her.
Outside the circle the landscape is bare and barren; a group of rooks or ravens and a frog - all symbols of evil and associated with witchcraft - are excluded. But within its confines are flowers and the woman herself, objects of beauty."
(Tate Britain)
The Magic Circle 1886
John William Waterhouse
jenray
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I know this one very well...Janeagain also loves Waterhouse...she's used several paintings as her header image over the years...Excellent...GBHs...XXX