Waterhouse, Oxford 1989, pp.37-8, reproduced p.36. When the picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1886 the critic for the Magazine of Art wrote 'Mr Waterhouse, in The Magic Circle, is still at his best - original in conception and pictorial in his results' (quoted in Hobson, p.37).įurther reading: Anthony Hobson, J.W. The meaning of the picture is unclear, but its mystery and exoticism struck a chord with contemporary observers. But within its confines are flowers and the woman herself, objects of beauty.
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.
With the wand in her right hand she draws a protective magic circle round her.
In her left hand she holds a crescent-shaped sickle, linking her with the moon and Hecate. Her dress and general appearance is highly eclectic, and is derived from several sources – her hairstyle is like that of an early Anglo-Saxon and her dress is decorated with Persian or Greek warriors. The woman in this picture appears to be a witch or priestess, endowed with magic powers, possibly the power of prophecy. This is one of Waterhouse's earlier works, and reflects his fascination with the exotic. Magic Circle (The Witch) by John William Waterhouse - 11x14 Unframed Art Print - Makes a Great Occult, Wicca Gift Under 15 for Art Lovers. His oeuvre also includes a number of middle-eastern subjects, in which he drew on the work of contemporary artists such as J.F Lewis (1805-76) and Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), rather than on actual experience. More specifically, the notion of woman as enchantress is one that recurs in images such as Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysees (1891, Oldham Art Gallery) and Hylas and the Nymphs (1896, Manchester City Art Gallery). He often depicted witches, goddesses, and other magical women. 1300 from Old French sorcerie, which is from Vulgar Latin *sortiarius, from sors "fate", apparently meaning "one who influences fate." Sorceress appears also in the late 14th century, while sorcerer is attested only from 1526.Miracles, magic and the power of prophecy are common themes in Waterhouse's art. Waterhouse loved to paint enchantingly beautiful women in nature via the Pre-Raphaelite style. In the Hellenistic period, Greek µ? (magos) could be used as an adjective, but an adjective µa? (magikos, latin magicus) is also attested from the 1st century (Plutarchus), typically appearing in the feminine, in µa? t? (magike techne, latin ars magica) "magical art." The word entered the English language in the late 14th century from Old French magique. The word magic ultimately derives from Magus (Old Persian maguš), one of the Zoroastrian astrologer priests of the Medes. They can refer to cultural complexes of beliefs and practices that believers can resort to in order to wield this supernatural influence and also, to similar cultural complexes that seek to explain various events and phenomena by supernatural means. Magic or sorcery are terms referring to the alleged influencing of events and physical phenomena by supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means.