Ophelia 1898

Frances Macdonald's 1898 watercolor painting, "Ophelia", depicts a young woman in a flowing gown, surrounded by delicate butterflies and flowers. The ethereal and dreamlike quality of the work is enhanced by the soft, muted colors and the flowing lines of the figure. The painting's subject matter is likely inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which Ophelia, driven to madness, drowns in a river. Macdonald's version of the story, however, is less tragic, capturing a sense of peaceful melancholy. The delicate brushstrokes and the use of watercolor create a fragile and ephemeral mood, reflecting the fleeting nature of life and beauty.