The Crystal Ball (1902) by John William Waterhouse (England, 1849-1917) The model peers into the ball, leaving the viewer to imagine what she might be seeing and thinking at that point. Her appearance suggests it is pure and gentle, though the skull that sits at the back of the scene offers a more sinister touch of symbolism. A previous owner had taken a dislike to this addition and actually painted over it, though a recent restoration has thankfully returned the painting back to its original composition. It is the touches of architecture at the back of the room that give the painting an impression of the Renaissance, with a style differing from the Gothic approach that was found in many paintings at this time.