In 1901‚ toward the end of Queen Victoria’s reign‚ The Enchantress was exhibited at the British Royal Academy․ The painting can be seen as a mysterious painting of a woman in the midst of leopards and flowers‚ representing power‚ beauty and dominion․ The woman can be said to represent the imperial authorities and the leopards can be said to symbolize the wild strength of the furthest lands and colonies under such authority․
The purple flowers are based on the legend of amethyst‚ according to which the Greek god of wine‚ Dionysus‚ sent leopards to attack the next human who would cross his path․ The unsuspecting girl Amethystos was caught in his trap‚ but prayed to Artemis‚ goddess of hunting and the moon‚ to save her‚ and Artemis turned her into white stone․ According to one version of the myth‚ upon realizing what he had done‚ Dionysus wept wine tears upon the stone‚ staining it purple and giving amethyst its color․

Best Uses
Bedroom wall decor
Artwork for a library or study
Wildlife wall art collection
Vintage gallery wall
Romantic home decor
Dark floral interior decor
Animal lover gift
The wall decor for salon or boutique
Museum-style print display on wall
Details
Artwork Title: The Enchantress.
Artist: Arthur Wardle.
Artist Dates: 1864–1949.
Original Size: 62 x 43 inches / 157.5 x 109.2 cm.
Original Exhibition: Royal Academy, London, 1901, no. 459.
Collection: JKM Collection, National Museum of Wildlife Art.

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