John William Waterhouse's Three Portrayals of Circe

John William Waterhouse, an English painter of the Victorian Era, depicted the mythological sorceress Circe in three distinct paintings, each drawing from different literary sources. His first, 'Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus' (1891), housed at Gallery Oldham in the UK, illustrates the moment from Homer's Odyssey where Circe attempts to enchant Odysseus. The second, 'Circe Invidiosa' (1892), at the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide, is based on Ovid's Metamorphoses and shows Circe poisoning Scylla out of jealousy. The third, 'The Sorceress' (1911), held in a private collection, presents a more contemplative Circe in her ordinary moments on the island of Aiaia. Waterhouse, born in Rome in 1849 and influenced by Pre-Raphaelite naturalism, was known for integrating ancient myths into his work. His Circe series remains significant for its nuanced portrayal of the character's complexity.