The artwork entitled “Ophelia” is an oil on canvas creation by the artist Odilon Redon, exemplifying the Symbolist art movement. Measuring 48.9 by 51.44 cm, this literary painting is rooted in thematic content drawn from literature. Presently, it resides in a private collection, away from public exhibition.
The artwork captures the tragic figure of Ophelia, popularized by William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” The composition focuses on the ethereal and gentle representation of Ophelia, emphasizing her contemplative and serene demeanor, possibly moments before her foretold descent into the water. Redon’s use of soft, dreamlike brushstrokes and a harmonious palette conveys an amalgam of emotions, including tranquility and underlying sadness. The colors suggest a nebulous boundary between reality and dream, a common trait of Symbolist works, seeking to express the ineffable and the psychological through their art.
