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Ophelia

Ophelia is a 1894 oil-on-canvas painting by English artist John William Waterhouse.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ophelia is a 1894 oil-on-canvas painting by English artist John William Waterhouse. It depicts Ophelia, a character from William Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, seated in a natural setting shortly before her death. The work is one of Waterhouse’s best-known paintings and reflects his recurring interest in literary and Pre-Raphaelite themes.

Background

Waterhouse frequently painted subjects from mythology, legend, and Shakespeare. Ophelia was a recurring subject in nineteenth-century art, especially among artists associated with Pre-Raphaelite and related Romantic styles.

Subject and composition

The painting depicts Ophelia near the end of her life, seated on a willow branch beside still water and surrounded by flowers. Her pose, dress, and placement in the landscape emphasize the contrast between human fragility and nature.

Artistic context

Waterhouse’s Ophelia paintings belong to a broader Victorian tradition of portraying Shakespeare’s tragic heroine. His versions differ in pose and mood, showing her at different stages before drowning.

Legacy

The 1894 *Ophelia* remains one of Waterhouse’s most recognized works and is often discussed alongside other famous depictions of the same character, including John Everett Millais’s *Ophelia*.

Key facts

  • The painting shows Ophelia in the moments before her death, sitting on a willow branch over water.
  • Waterhouse painted at least three major versions of Ophelia, including works from 1889, 1894, and 1911/1910.
  • The image draws on Shakespeare’s *Hamlet* and the Victorian fascination with Ophelia as a tragic literary figure.
  • Flowers appear in Ophelia’s lap and hair, linking her visually to the natural setting.
  • The 1894 version is held in a private collection in Sydney, Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted *Ophelia*?
It was painted by John William Waterhouse.
When was *Ophelia* painted?
The painting dates to 1894.
What does the painting depict?
It shows Ophelia from Shakespeare’s *Hamlet* seated in nature shortly before her death.
What medium did Waterhouse use?
It is an oil painting on canvas.
Where is the painting now?
It is in the John and Julie Schaeffer Collection in Sydney, Australia.
Is this the only Ophelia painting by Waterhouse?
No. Sources indicate Waterhouse painted multiple versions of Ophelia, including works from 1889 and 1911/1910.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophelia_(Waterhouse)
    Supports: Artist, date, subject, and basic description of the 1894 painting.
  2. Victorian Web — https://victorianweb.org/painting/jww/paintings/7.html
    Supports: Date, medium, dimensions, current collection, and comparison with Waterhouse's other Ophelia versions.
  3. J. W. Waterhouse site — https://www.jwwaterhouse.net/ophelia-1894/
    Supports: Date, medium, size, subject matter, and Waterhouse's broader Ophelia series.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse
    Supports: Waterhouse's style and his repeated use of Ophelia as a subject.