Canvas - John Everett Millais, Ophelia

The tragic beauty of Ophelia: A masterpiece by Sir John Everett Millais

The image of Ophelia, the tragic figure from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, has fascinated artists for centuries. Among the most iconic and moving representations of this figure is Ophelia (1851-1852), painted by the British Pre-Raphaelite Sir John Everett Millais. This masterpiece, both breathtaking in its technical execution and touching in its emotional depth, remains one of the most well-known and discussed works in Western art history.

The story of Ophelia in Hamlet

To fully appreciate Millais' Ophelia, one must first understand the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Ophelia is a young noblewoman who finds herself in the chaos of the Danish court. She is the daughter of Polonius, the sister of Laertes, and the beloved of Prince Hamlet. Ophelia's tragic fate is sealed when her relationship with Hamlet deteriorates, and after the death of her father, she descends into madness.

In Act 4, Scene 7, Ophelia's mental breakdown reaches its tragic climax. After her father is murdered by Hamlet, Ophelia is overwhelmed by grief and madness. She dies in a river, an apparent drowning, the causes of which remain unclear – whether it was an accident or suicide is left open. Her death is one of the most tragic moments of the play and symbolizes the fragility of the human psyche, which is overwhelmed by grief, betrayal, and loss.

Millais’ Ophelia is an interpretation of this tragic scene. The painting captures the moment just before her death, with Ophelia floating in a river, surrounded by flowers, embodying the innocence and purity that are lost amidst the surrounding horrors. Read more in the blog article