Ophelia 1889

John William Waterhouse's "Ophelia" (1889) depicts a scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet. The Pre-Raphaelite artist captures the tragic character as she drowns in a stream, her flowing hair and white dress becoming entangled in the reeds and flowers. Waterhouse's meticulous detail and symbolic imagery create a haunting and melancholic scene. The artist's use of light and color to emphasize the fragility of life and the power of nature creates a powerful and memorable impression.