Ophelia with a Blue Wimple in the Water 1900 - 1905

Odilon Redon's "Ophelia with a Blue Wimple in the Water" (1900-1905) is a Symbolist painting inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet. Ophelia's body is depicted submerged in water, a blue wimple (a type of headdress) floating above. The ethereal, dreamlike composition uses muted colors and subtle brushstrokes, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The painting evokes a melancholic atmosphere, reflecting Ophelia's tragic fate and the ambiguity of her death. Redon's distinctive style, characterized by his use of pastels, creates a soft, ethereal quality, emphasizing the dreamlike nature of the scene. This work is a significant example of Redon's mastery of the Symbolist movement, capturing the essence of emotional and spiritual themes through evocative imagery.