Circe

Date: 1911

The back of the canvas is inscribed ‘Circe’. The painting is also known as ‘The Sorceress’.

“These metaphysics of magicians And necromantic books are heavenly: Lines, circles, letters and characters: Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires. O, what a world of profit and delight, Of power, of honour, of omnipotence Is promised to the studious artisan! All things that move between the quiet poles Shall be at my command: emperors and kings Are but obeyed in their several provinces Nor can they raise the wind nor rend the clouds; But his dominion that exceeds in this Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man. A sound magician is a mighty god: Here, Faustus, try thy brains to gain a deity.”

Quoted from Faust by Christopher Marlowe.