The artwork titled “Ophelia” was created by John William Waterhouse in the year 1894. It is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 73.6 by 124.4 centimeters. This piece, categorized under the Romanticism movement and the genre of literary painting, resides in a private collection.
The artwork captures a contemplative scene inspired by the tragic character Ophelia from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” Ophelia is depicted seated on a fallen tree trunk in a lush, verdant setting adorned with water lilies, wildflowers, and dense foliage. She is dressed in a delicate white gown with intricate gold embroidery, her long auburn hair adorned with flowers. Her posture exudes a sense of melancholy and introspection as she reclines with her head tilted back, one hand gently touching her neck. The painting exudes a serene yet poignant atmosphere, invoking the depth of Ophelia’s internal struggle and the quintessential Romantic fascination with beauty, nature, and emotion.