Circe

Born in Dundee, Stronach attended the Glasgow School of Art. He was a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and also Professor of Mural Painting at the Glasgow School of Art until the outbreak of World War II. Like many of the Celtic symbolists, Stronach's work demonstrates the influences of early Italian fresco painters and Pre-Raphaelitism. The rich and bold manner of representation also conveys the influence of stained glass windows. In this work Stronach depicts Circe, a character from Greek mythology most commonly known from Homer's The Odyssey. Circe is portrayed by Homer as a beautiful sorceress whose bewitching charm and skill with magic herbs and potions enables her to transform her enemies into animals. She is often visually represented in the company of animals, particularly lions and wolves made tame by her magic.