The artwork “Circe Invidiosa,” created by John William Waterhouse in 1892, is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Romanticism art movement. This mythological painting, with dimensions of 87.4 by 180.7 cm, resides in the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) in Adelaide, Australia.
In this evocative piece, Waterhouse portrays the sorceress Circe from Greek mythology. The figure stands at the center, grasping a large bowl from which she is pouring a vibrant, green liquid into the waters below. Circe is depicted with intense focus, her gaze directed downwards toward the liquid she releases. The dark, earthy background contrasts with the luminous green liquid and the deep, aquatic tones of her robe, emphasizing the mystical and otherworldly theme. The painting captures a moment filled with tension and enchantment, epitomizing the Romantic fascination with drama, myth, and nature’s potent forces.
