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ArtistA highly detailed Pre-Raphaelite ink mixed oil painting, executed on textured oil mixed ink paper, meticulously recreating John William Waterhouse's 1892 masterpiece 'Circe Invidiosa'. Central Subject & Pose: - The sorceress Circe stands barefoot on the calm surface of a dark turquoise sea cove. - She has a cold, vengeful, and deliberate facial expression with dark focused eyes and reddish-brown hair. - She wears a sheer, dark patterned cobalt blue and peacock-green gown that flows down and visually blends into the water below her. - She holds a wide golden-green chalice with both hands, tilting it to pour a steady, luminous stream of glowing green poison into the sea. Environment & Background Details: - Beneath her feet, monstrous, shadowy sea creatures with coiled serpentine bodies and gaping jaws begin to emerge from the water where the poison drops, stirring small ripples and bubbles. - Behind her, a dark, atmospheric cliff wall made of wet, jagged rocks closes in the cove, adding a sense of claustrophobia and mystery. Artistic Style & Color Palette: - Rendered as an authentic ink mixed oil painting with visible pigment granulations, fluid paper texture, fine brushstrokes, and luminous washes. - Color scheme features deep jewel-toned blues, teal, emerald green, glowing chartreuse, and muted dark stone tones. - High detail, dramatic lighting. Painting by an artist named “RY” signed in the bottom right in small, swooping cursive black letters.
Artwork & Artist Details
Original Artist: John William Waterhouse (British, 1849–1917)
Original Title: Circe Invidiosa (meaning "Jealous Circe")
Year Painted: 1892
Art Movement: Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood / Symbolism
Current Location: Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
Story Description
The Poisoned Waters: The Myth Behind Waterhouse’s 'Circe Invidiosa' (1892)
This digital piece is a tribute to Circe Invidiosa (1892), one of John William Waterhouse’s most spellbinding Pre-Raphaelite works. It illustrates a scene from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, capturing the destructive power of unrequited love and jealousy.
The Myth of Revenge
Unrequited Passion:
The sea god Glaucus fell hopelessly in love with the nymph Scylla and asked the enchantress Circe for a potion to win Scylla's heart. However, Circe desired Glaucus for herself. When Glaucus rejected her, Circe’s love turned into bitter, vengeful rage—directed not at him, but at her innocent rival.
The Transformation:
Circe traveled to the quiet sea cove where Scylla bathed and contaminated the waters with a deadly potion. When Scylla entered the sea, she was horrifically transformed into a multi-headed barking sea monster, condemned to terrorize sailors for eternity
- Rojitha Yasaswin
2026 Aug 22