Ophelia 

Ernest Hébert painted this ‘Ophelia’ using oil on canvas, capturing a moment of melancholic beauty. The composition is dominated by Ophelia's face and cascading hair, which create a visual rhythm with their undulating forms. Hébert uses a limited palette to evoke a sense of muted sorrow. The dark green background contrasts with the pale skin and golden hair, intensifying the emotional impact. The flowers interwoven in her hair, traditionally symbols of lost innocence, are meticulously rendered, highlighting the tragic narrative. The artist’s handling of light and shadow is particularly striking. It sculpts Ophelia's features, adding depth and highlighting her expression of sorrow. This technique evokes a sense of instability between what is seen and what is felt. Through its carefully constructed visual elements, the painting invites us to contemplate themes of representation, femininity, and the fragility of life.