The picture is clearly related to The Sorceress, an unfinished canvas by Waterhouse of circa 1911, which would itself more suitably be called Circe since it is inscribed with this title on the back and includes two animals, the victims of Circe’s charms, at the left (see Anthony Hobson, The Art and Life of J.W. Waterhouse, 1980, p.128, no. 182.) The attitude of the figures in each picture is almost identical.

Circe was a favourite subject with Waterhouse and other artists in the late Pre-Raphaelite tradition. Waterhouse’s main treatments of the theme are Circe offering the Cup to Ullyses (1891, Oldham; illus. Hobson, 1980, pl. 50; 1989, pl. 31) and Circe Invidiosa (1892, Adelaide; illus. Hobson, 1980, pl. 53; 1989, pl. 32).

– From Christies’s catalogue.

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