Ophelia 1883

Alexandre Cabanel painted "Ophelia" in oil, sometime in the second half of the 19th century. The image depicts the tragic figure of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet, and its aesthetic invites us to consider the painting in the context of its own time. The painting's formal elements, such as its soft brushstrokes and idealized beauty, place it within the academic tradition of French art. Cabanel was an important figure in the French academy. Yet the choice of subject also speaks to broader cultural trends, namely, a fascination with romantic and tragic themes. Ophelia's character resonated with artists and audiences. To truly understand this image, we might consider the politics of representation in 19th-century France. The archives can tell us about the rise of bourgeois culture and gender roles. Only then can we recognize the complex social forces that shaped Cabanel's "Ophelia."