This is an early study for the watercolour dated 1863-69 and in a private collection. The watercolour was Burne-Jones's contribution to the 1869 exhibition of the Old Watercolour Society. The choice of Circe shows Burne-Jones's interest in the idea of the enchantress who is both beautiful and a threat. The Circe Story refers to her pouring the magic potion into a wine jar, to await the arrival of Odysseus and his companions. Purchased and presented by subscribers, 1903.
In the later 1860s Burne-Jones made a number of these perfunctory sketches over-lain with white chalk to capture the effect of light falling upon a surface, chiefly drapery.