The artwork titled “Ophelia” by John William Waterhouse, created in 1910, is an oil on canvas masterpiece that belongs to the Romanticism art movement. Measuring 62.2 x 100.3 cm, this literary painting is currently housed in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a character from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” specifically Ophelia, who is portrayed standing in a natural, somewhat woodland setting. Adorned in a blue dress with red details and holding a bouquet of flowers, Ophelia’s expression and posture exude a sense of contemplative melancholy. The scene is rendered with meticulous attention to the play of light and shadow, enhancing the emotional depth of the character’s portrayal. The background, filled with intricate and somewhat indistinct forms, emphasizes the isolation and inner turmoil of Ophelia, making this piece a poignant representation of Romanticism’s fascination with emotion and nature.