Among the most admired works at Tate Britain in London is Ophelia, the famous painting created by John Everett Millais between 1851 and 1852.
Inspired by William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, the painting shows the moment when Ophelia, overwhelmed by the death of her father and Hamlet’s rejection, is carried away by the waters of a river until she dies.
What makes this painting so extraordinary is the contrast between the peaceful beauty of nature and the sadness of the scene.
The flowers, painted with incredible detail, are not just decorations: each one has a symbolic meaning connected with purity, love, death, and remembrance.
Millais spent months painting the landscape from real life beside an English river, while the model Elizabeth Siddal posed in a bathtub filled with water to faithfully recreate Ophelia’s figure.
Today, thousands of visitors come to Tate Britain to admire this masterpiece in person.
Its fame comes not only from Millais’s remarkable technique but also from its ability to tell one of the most moving scenes in English literature.
Alexandra, a visitor from Spain, said: “I decided to visit Tate Britain mainly to see Ophelia.
“I had seen this painting in art history books, but seeing it in real life is much more emotional.
“I was impressed by the beautiful colours, the flowers, and the water, which contrast with the sadness of the story.
“I think this painting is so famous because it expresses deep emotions and tells one of the most famous scenes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a single image.”
Ophelia is much more than just a painting.
It brings together art, literature, and emotion, and it continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world, making it one of the most important masterpieces at Tate Britain.
Feature image: Marianna Pia Taormina
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