In this replica of his 1884 Royal Academy entry (bought by Sir Henry Tate and now in the Tate Britain), Waterhouse depicts the moment of revelation in which a priestess calls for silence and leans forward to catch the uttered revelations from the oracle.
Anthony Hobson writes of the picture: 'Its elaborate detail is balanced by strength of composition. The rhythm of the window arches is echoed in the semi-circle of the marble step which brings the ring of seated figures into communion with that of the priestess. Boldly placing her in the shadows with only the glow of the lamp on her face, Waterhouse justifies this by silhouetting her outstretched hand, directing the message to her devotees, against the brilliant sunshine on the wall of the building outside. Heads and hands are full of expression: each figure is intent and individual in attitude, the two in the centre clasping each other in agitation.’
[Sotheby’s, London - Oil on canvas, 44.5 x 72.5 cm]