Inside the mystery of JW Waterhouse's The Magic Circle

This film charts a journey that begins with a simple postcard from a museum shop. Is it possible that two amateur art historians with a general interest in John William Waterhouse could discover something unknown to the wider art world?
Starting with their subjective response to Waterhouse’s famous painting, “The Magic Circle,” our two amateur documentarians go to on examine evidence from a range of contemporary sources taking them on a pilgrimage to the grave of Waterhouse himself, to the TATE Gallery storeroom for a viewing of the original work, the V&A Drawings and Print Room, The British Library and The Royal Academy.
The film also shows an in-the-field experiment considering the effect of viewing distance on the way the viewer perceives the painting.
The heart of our film-makers’ quest is to complete one crucial piece of research that still remains: to test their theory by viewing the original work in the conditions they think are needed to view the hidden secret inside “The Magic Circle.”
Please address questions to [e-mail]

[@altlife2908]

You have blown my mind... I love Waterhouse and i love the mystery he invokes on his viewers. He is so exciting in his works, he alone blows me away. I wish i knew more. Alas, the internet may have the answers i can't seem to find much on him. The magic circle is a particular favourite of mine, i too wish i could see it in all its glory... blessings to you, thank you

[@nimamina6374]

I will never again be able to look at this painting and not see The Face! Great research by you and your husband. Thank you.

[@budman9327]

Very well done! Proves that "experts" don't always look at works with a fresh eye. Maybe they see what they are told to see.

[@jennyg4806]

Fascinating that. even now, people can discover something new which hasn't been noticed before. I was tremendously impressed by this research.

[@jamiemagnet1]

What a great video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning. Great job on all the investigative research!

[@DeidreL9]

I can see it straight away now I know to look. Amazing and it makes sense to me! Fascinating stuff, well done🌹

[@fourthwallpress9229]

Thanks-good to know- helps us to know we are not seeing things!

[@DeidreL9]

Fourthwall Press l enjoyed this so much, and I am an artist so I’m familiar with the idea of secret messages and imagery. It’s very in keeping with Waterhouse’s general way of doing things, he was a deep thinker...now I find myself looking at everything he painted a little differently! Thank you!🌹

[@optimisticzebra8498]

I found this so fascinating! Great work

[@fourthwallpress9229]

Thanks -its a wonderful picture - could you "see" the face?

[@Istari68]

Very interesting argument - thank you for sharing this.

[@lunar_magick]

Perhaps simply he painted himself and painted over it following natural lines of paint formed on the canvas

[@fourthwallpress9229]

Its certainly possible - that could have been by design or accident - would require an xray to determine - if we can get the Tate to consider at least the possibility that there could be more to this painting.....

[@zimwillsalvadorthediamondd4434]

brilliant

[@molloyfan9229]

Thank you thank you thank you!!

[@altlife2908]

Your husband has a very good eye..

[@staceynyx]

fascinating

[@Golfgtiguy]

Like yourself I'm a fan of the artist .But I think you and your husband are mistaken in the image you perceive to be there .possibly away with the faires ;-) .However I still give your video a like . Nice to hear a little more about John William Waterhouse. 👍

[@beanstaIkjack]

Very interesting and well spotted! There's definitely not enough info on this brilliant painter. What fascinates me is the rock-cut caves in the background, like the ones in India

[@fourthwallpress9229]

they are fascinating - and its only in the actual painting in real life you can really see the subtle detail in them