Circe Invidiosa by Waterhouse Postcard

This fine art card features a vivid, high-resolution image of the Pre-Raphaelite painting Circe Invidiosa by John William Waterhouse, oil on canvas, 1892. A favorite subject of the artist Waterhouse, Circe was a minor goddess from ancient Greek mythology who appears as a sorceress in the classic epic Odyssey of Homer. Standing amidst a dark forest in long, dark ultramarine blue robes, Circe pours poison from a golden bowl into the waters beneath her feet to transform her rival into a hideous serpent monster. The classic painting reflects the pre-Raphaelite emphasis on brilliant, jewel-like color, detailed decorative patterns, and the painting styles of medieval and early Renaissance art. This unique gift card is an excellent choice for any lover of art and Pre-Raphaelite painting. John William Waterhouse (1849 - 1917) was an English painter of the Pre-Raphaelite school of the late 19th century. After studying at the British Royal Academy of Art, Waterhouse painted classical scenes from ancient Greek mythology, gradually acquiring the stylistic traits of the Pre-Raphaelites as well as the painterly qualities of the French Impressionists. Though overshadowed by the more famous members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Waterhouse exhibited with great success and produced many paintings with themes of female figures from mythology and the legends of King Arthur.