Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses: A Deep Exploration

John William Waterhouse’s “Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” (1891) remains one of the most captivating works from the late Victorian era. Revered for its mythological depth, sumptuous detail, and thematic ambiguity, the painting has long fascinated antique art collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts of Pre-Raphaelite aesthetics. Though often overshadowed by Waterhouse’s more widely reproduced masterpieces, this painting stands as a pinnacle of his engagement with classical literature and feminine archetypes.

For collectors of antique art, understanding the full context of this work, from its history to its symbolism, critical reception, and market considerations, provides significant insight into both its artistic value and its continued resonance. What follows is a comprehensive exploration of this iconic canvas.

Historical Background of the Painting

Painted in 1891, “Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” emerged during Waterhouse’s artistic maturity. By this time, he had already established himself as a painter deeply influenced by classical mythology and the Pre-Raphaelite spirit, even though he was a generation younger than the original Brotherhood.

The late Victorian era experienced a resurgence of interest in Greco-Roman antiquity, driven by archaeological discoveries and a cultural nostalgia for classical narratives. Waterhouse drew heavily on texts like Homer’s Odyssey for inspiration, and the story of Circe, the enchantress who turns men into animals, offered rich symbolic material.

The painting was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1891, at a moment when myths featuring powerful, seductive, or dangerous women gripped the public imagination. This archetype, sometimes referred to as the “femme fatale”, appeared frequently in Victorian art and literature, reflecting both fascination and anxiety around changing gender roles.

Waterhouse revisited the figure of Circe more than once, notably in his works “Circe Invidiosa” (1892) and “The Sorceress” (1911). However, the 1891 painting remains his most famous portrayal of the myth.

What Is Happening in the Painting?

The painting illustrates a pivotal moment from Book 10 of the Odyssey. Ulysses (Odysseus) has landed on Circe’s island, Aeaea, where his men have been transformed into swine after drinking her enchanted potion. Waterhouse chooses the instant when Circe, seated on a luxurious throne, extends a cup toward Ulysses.

Several elements emphasize narrative tension:

• Circe’s gaze: Direct and commanding, she looks out of the picture plane toward Ulysses, who is not visible to the viewer. This creates a sense of confrontation.
• The cup: Held forward as both invitation and threat, highlighting the central conflict.
• The mirror behind Circe: It reflects Ulysses approaching with his sword drawn, a detail that shifts the scene from passive offering to dramatic standoff.
• The animals: A pig at her feet alludes to Ulysses’ transformed crew.
• The wand in her left hand: An emblem of her magical power.

Waterhouse creates a layered moment: Circe appears poised, confident, and almost relaxed, yet every detail hints at danger.

Symbolism and Meaning

“Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” is rich with multilayered symbolism. Collectors appreciate that Victorian artists frequently embedded allegories within mythological subjects, and this painting is no exception.

1. Circe as Femme Fatale

Circe embodies both allure and peril. Her beauty is emphasized, but so is her ability to dominate and transform. She represents anxieties about female agency in the Victorian period, as women increasingly sought independence and challenged social norms.

2. The Cup

The cup is the symbol of temptation, knowledge, transformation, and surrender. In Homer’s story, drinking the potion means abandoning one’s humanity. It may also echo biblical and literary themes of forbidden offerings.

3. The Mirror

Mirrors in art often symbolize truth, reflection, self-awareness, or alternate realities. Waterhouse uses it compositionally to include Ulysses without placing him directly in the foreground. Symbolically, it may suggest that Circe sees more than she reveals, or that Ulysses is stepping into a world where perception is manipulated.

4. The Animals

The pig represents Ulysses’ enchanted crew. But pigs in classical symbolism also denote gluttony, base instinct, and the stripping away of civilized human identity.

5. Circe’s Wand

The wand is both a literal magical tool and a metaphor for power, especially female power in a patriarchal mythological world.

6. The Orientalist Interior

Though set in Greek myth, Waterhouse’s interior includes rich, exotic fabrics and elaborate décor typical of Orientalist influence. This exoticization enhances Circe’s otherworldliness.

7. Color Symbolism

Waterhouse uses jewel tones and luxurious textures to heighten Circe’s seductive environment. Her deep green robe suggests fertility, nature, and magic, while the golden tones evoke wealth and allure.

In sum, Circe is not merely a sorceress but a complex symbol of transformation, seduction, intellect, and danger.

Controversy Surrounding the Painting

While not as controversial as some of Waterhouse’s later works, this painting has still generated discussion.

1. Representation of Women

Some modern critics view the painting as reinforcing misogynistic tropes. The depiction of a powerful woman as inherently dangerous echoes Victorian fears of female sexuality and independence.

2. Orientalism

The painting’s lavish, non-Greek interior invites accusations of Orientalism, the Victorian practice of exoticizing and romanticizing the East as mysterious or dangerous.

3. Erotic Undertones

Circe’s pose, clothing, and body language carry sensual undertones. While typical for classical subjects, this occasionally drew criticism from conservative viewers and continues to spark debate among scholars.

4. Interpretive Ambiguity

Some argue that Waterhouse intentionally blurs moral boundaries: Circe can be read as villain, victim, or misunderstood figure. This ambiguity leads to conflicting interpretations.

Reception and Critical Response

Upon its exhibition at the Royal Academy, the painting received considerable praise. Critics admired Waterhouse’s mastery of mythological themes, his skillful rendering of textures and fabrics, and his ability to infuse narrative tension into a static scene.

Victorian Reception

Victorian critics lauded:

• The painting’s dramatic composition
• The clarity of storytelling
• The luminous color palette
• The psychological interplay between Circe and Ulysses

Waterhouse was praised for revitalizing classical themes with fresh emotional depth.

Modern Reception

Today, the painting is admired for:

• Its Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic fusion: realism blended with symbolism
• Strong feminine presence
• Narrative complexity
• Technical excellence

Modern feminist interpretations often revisit Circe as an empowered figure. Rather than seeing her as a mere seductress or villain, contemporary scholars highlight her agency, magical intellect, and resistance to male intrusion.

Critical Interpretations

Art historians have analyzed the painting from various angles:

1. Literary Interpretation

Some consider it a faithful visual translation of Homer’s text, emphasizing Ulysses’ bravery and Circe’s cunning.

2. Gender Studies Perspective

Others focus on Circe as a representation of Victorian tensions around gender, sexuality, and power.

3. Psychological Interpretation

Certain critics argue the work symbolizes internal human conflict, the battle between reason (Ulysses) and desire (Circe).

4. Symbolist Perspective

The painting is sometimes interpreted through the lens of Symbolism, with Circe representing magical feminine archetypes found across mythologies.

Location of the Painting

“Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” is part of the collection of the Galerie Neue Pinakothek in Munich, Germany. The museum houses an exceptional collection of 19th-century art, making it a fitting home for Waterhouse’s mythological masterpiece.

Collectors and art historians often visit the gallery specifically to view Waterhouse’s works, as his paintings are dispersed among several major international museums.

Market Value and Price Considerations for Collectors

Because “Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” belongs to a museum collection, the painting itself is not for sale and is not expected to appear on the private market.

However, Waterhouse works, and especially those with strong mythological or feminine themes, have demonstrated robust performance in the art market.

Market Context

• Waterhouse’s major works often sell for several million dollars at auction.
• Lesser-known pieces, sketches, and studies range from tens of thousands to low six figures.
• His mythological subjects typically command the highest prices.

Estimated Value (If It Were to Enter the Market)

Experts estimate that if “Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” were ever to be offered privately (highly unlikely), it could command a price between $8 million and $15 million USD, potentially more depending on market conditions.

Factors increasing value:

• Iconic subject matter
• Connection to Homeric myth
• Exceptional condition and provenance
• Waterhouse’s cultural popularity

Collector Considerations

For collectors, acquiring a Waterhouse painting, or even preparatory drawings, requires attention to:

• Provenance
• Authenticity
• Exhibition history
• Market trends

Prints, lithographs, and reproduction rights are widely available, though their monetary value remains modest compared to original works.

Why the Painting Still Matters Today

“Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” continues to resonate for several reasons:

Timeless Themes

It depicts universal human struggles: temptation, transformation, courage, deception, and desire.

Feminine Power

Circe has become a modern feminist icon, reinterpreted in literature, art, and popular culture.

Aesthetic Splendor

The painting exemplifies Waterhouse’s extraordinary ability to merge beauty, symbolism, and narrative tension.

Cultural Relevance

With renewed interest in Greek mythology, particularly through contemporary novels and media, Circe remains deeply embedded in the public imagination.