@bymuseum: Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses (1891) By John William Waterhouse 📍 Gallery Oldham, England Circe looks completely in control. She sits before us with a cup in one hand and a wand in the other. At her feet are two pigs, the fate already given to Ulysses’ men. In Homer’s Odyssey, Circe welcomed them with food and wine, then mixed an enchanted potion into their drink. When she touched them with her wand, their bodies became pigs, but their minds stayed human. Now she believes Ulysses will suffer the same fate. But the mirror changes everything. Ulysses appears in the reflection, approaching from the same direction as the viewer. The cup feels as if it is being offered to him, and to us. Circe does not know that Hermes has already given him moly, a divine herb that protects him from her magic. Everything visible says she holds the power. Everything invisible says her power is about to fail. Ulysses will drink. He will not change. 👉 Follow @bymuseum for vivid stories and hidden meanings in classical art.

✰_✰ :

love this and Circe Invidiosa!

INFJ5810 :

so.. a couple weeks you appeared on my feed and every piece and story since ive loved. this is how art and history should be taught at school, it teaches you to see beyond what you immediately notice, that every part of the piece has a reason behind it.

Izabela F. Maria :

Ulysses > Odysseus

Todd :

why is this circe giving Marisa Abela

aelia_noctis :

Please read 'Circe' by Madeleine Miller, viewers. It's a fantastic story from Her POV.

Samiama :

I’d love to have a dirty martini from that cup.. stunning cup

====== :

spirited away vibes...

Wayne_flow :

I love Circe

Alice :

🥰 I love grec mythology

Silver :

"Holy moly"! I get what the pun in that Epic song was supposed to be now😂😂

Just A Guy :

🇵🇷 I have questions. What is the bruising on Cercis' arm? Did anyone else notice? If that's not a bruise, what is it?

Saint_Ruin :

I see so much more listening to you

Addie Pray :

Wonderful

Merton Clivette :

you just can't beat narration by a British guy who speaks in whisper tone where you have to move your phone closer to your face because you can't hear what he's saying.

gina borchi :

this is amazing. love this analysis, such a wonderful way to appreciate this marvelous piece of art beyond

anukanakira :

Thank you for the amazing content.

charlesthewolf :

whats the name of the music? pleaasseee

tenaciousapprentice :

Holy moly!

Michelle 🌞👩🏻‍⚕️ :

Goof Cooties🇨🇦 :

And that’s where “Holy Moly” comes from.

Paul :

Is that were we get Holy Moly from?

Emma Villarreal :

Una de mis pinturas favoritas!!

Erinerinboberin :

Could one argue the reflection of her wand in the glass looks like a sword through her own head?

brapbrapmac10thugkilla :

What's the soundtrack? 🤔 it's enchanting