Like his contemporary Rembrandt, Castiglione regarded prints as having their own expressive language. His works focus on mythical and religious subjects as a vehicle for ethical and moral issues. At the same time, Castiglione exploited any opportunity to depict his personal interest in animals and exotic costume. The figure of Circe had already been represented in two paintings. Here the sorceress, in her most famous appearance from Homer's 'Odyssey', casts a spell on Ulysses' men.