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An oracle is variously
defined as a shrine
where divinely inspired
pronouncements and
prophecies are made,
as the person chosen
to speak such pronouncements,
or as the pronouncement
itself.
In ancient Greece,
the Delphic Oracle
was the shrine founded
by Apollo himself,
and was the most
highly revered Oracle
of its time.
The chosen priestess,
depicted here in
the 1899 painting
by J. W. Godward,
was known as the
Pythia, so named
after the enormous
snake which had
once guarded the
shrine.
The Pythia entered
into trance-like
states and spoke
their prophecies
in a 'language'
similar to the unintelligible
words uttered by
those who speak
in tongues. Priests
were responsible
for recording and
interpreting the
oracles.
John William Godward
was a protégé
of Sir Lawrence
Alma-Tadema in the
style of the Victorian
Frederick Leighton.
Godward's work was
severely judged
by art critics toward
the end of his life
as Picasso and the
new wave of Modernism
swept aside the
ideals of 19th centurt
art.
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