Priestess of Delphi

"Priestess of Delphi" by John Collier is a hauntingly powerful portrayal of the legendary oracle of ancient Greece. Painted in 1891, this masterpiece captures the Pythia—the high priestess of Apollo—mid-trance, enveloped in mystic vapors said to rise from beneath the temple. Her expression is one of serene intensity, eyes closed as if communing with the divine. Draped in rich, crimson robes and seated on a tripod with lion-paw legs, she exudes both sacred mystery and feminine strength. The play of smoke and shadow enhances the supernatural aura, pulling the viewer into the ancient world of prophecy and myth.