The Death of Ophelia

Eugene Delacroix created this oil on canvas painting in 1838 inspired by the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare. The painting captures the scene where Queen Gertrude's account of events in Act 4 Scene 7 of the play. In the scene, Ophelia climbed into a branch of the willow tree, which then broke and fell into the stream, dropping her as well. It is a visceral portrayal of grief, madness, beauty and tragic consequences of love betrayed. The artist's explosive brushstrokes show that it is an Emblem of Romantic Art as it conveys themes of human vulnerability and fate. The painting not only shows what happened to Ophelia but also her state of mind on how she feels during the turmoil and her preceding into death. The frame carries her in a vulnerable state where here fragile body is submerged in the dangerous stream, adorned with a garland of flowers. The flowers convey both her innocence and her inescapable grip of death. The positioning of Ophelia's body with her view towards the viewer, makes one question or contemplate on death and fate. This piece of work carries a stark contrast to the idealized forms of Neoclassical painters. In the perspective of technique, the play with light and shadow gives gravity to the painting, where Delacroix applies glazing techniques where translucent layers are painted over dark layers giving it an ethereal quality. It establishes a powerful connection between art and literature. The painting holds value of human fragility and complex emotions that evokes profound feelings in the viewer. The representation of Ophelia by Delacroix has the appearance of a dream and gives a primitive look due to lack of coherent expression on her face, her dishevelled brown hair, and her transparent garment showing her bare chest. The dark greens and browns portray a melancholic mood of the subject. The depiction of such a subject in a fragile and vulnerable state, shows Ophelia as a wild Romantic and human character that any viewer can feel through the painting.