THE MAGIC CIRCLE (J.W. Waterhouse, 1886)

The mysticism of this picture is striking as a female enchantress creates a fiery circle with her wand in the presence of ravens, a frog and a skull, all symbols of witchcraft. It's a beautifully composed work with the movement of her body, draped in eastern dress, captured so exquisitely that it becomes completely believable. The picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1886 and was a complete success.

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