This huge, lushly painted work was created during St. John's peak period when he was at the height of his powers as an illustrator.  St. John painted this scene to demonstrate that he was not limited to any one particular  field and could create easel paintings to rival any artist. 

Evocatively depicting a priestess of Bacchus in a giant field of poppies, this tableau allowed St. John's talent for pure painting free reign: the priestess's flowing robes, the graceful movement of the leopards, gorgeously rendered background, and a keyed up palette combine magically in this personal work. The painting hung in St. John's Tree Studio in Chicago from the time of its creation until 1985 when it was purchased by noted Burroughs collector Russ Cochran.