Ophelia c. 1868 - 1871

Editor: So, this is Victor Müller’s pencil sketch of Ophelia, probably created sometime between 1868 and 1871. The Städel Museum houses it. There’s something incredibly delicate and melancholic about it, even though it’s just a sketch. How do you see this piece? Curator: Delicate, yes. It's almost as if Müller is trying to capture not just Ophelia’s likeness, but the very essence of her fading spirit. You know, Shakespeare’s Ophelia has always haunted the Romantic imagination. Tell me, what catches your eye first? Is it her pose, the implied narrative, perhaps something else? Editor: I think it's the lack of definition. She’s there, but almost disappearing, which perfectly embodies her tragic story. Curator: Exactly! And Müller, he wasn’t just illustrating a scene from *Hamlet*; he was exploring themes of madness, nature, and the ephemeral nature of beauty itself. There's a sense of personal connection, don't you think? He almost invites us to participate in her story, to feel the weight of her sorrow. Makes you wonder what he was going through while drawing this, right? Editor: Definitely! It feels so personal, like a glimpse into Müller's own thoughts on the story. I wouldn't have thought a sketch could be so emotionally resonant. Curator: Isn't it remarkable? It reminds me that art, in its best form, is a conversation, a shared vulnerability between artist and audience. Thank you for noticing those nuances! Editor: Thanks! I learned a lot by taking a closer look, and considering that fragility. I won't see sketches in the same way again!