Man, what a backstory... Millais did an amazing job conveying what that grief-stricken madness could look like, but it's still so beautiful! I'm guilty as charged for thinking that plein air painting was this idyllic, picturesque experience. Every time I've heard about a piece like that, I've imagined myself frolicking in nature with paint and snacks and the full support of the environment itself, but that letter was a hilarious reality check. Millais not only had a way with paint, but with words! And I'm honestly reminded of my reaction whenever someone tells me how "cool" it is to be a Voice Actor. Pfft. I love that I don't feel compelled to choose between those who remain true to or idealize nature, but I will say that it is stunningly depicted here. Elizabeth's sacrifice was not in vain! Hope she was able to salvage the lovely dress and continue to enjoy it for her trouble.
Thank you very much for this. I'd add that the tree is a pollarded weeping willow; its roots remain embedded in the earth. Ophelia was described as a tormented soul making garlands of wildflowers. In order to pick branches of the willow tree, she climbs it and a bough breaks, wherein she falls into the "weeping brook"; Ophelia floats with flowers in her hand and finally drowns. The poetic description of her vanishing is celebrated as one of the best literary examples of a death scene; her pose resembles that of a martyr with upwards gaze and submissive, open arms.
Here is a set of better photos of the painting we have taken more recently, www.flickr.com/search/?sort=date-taken-desc&safe_search=1&tags=opheliash&user_id=82032880%40N00&view_all=1
The fusion of Shakespearean themes with Pre-Raphaelite art seems to resonate with the core of human emotion. Borrowing the sublime power of nature paid off well in my opinion.
John Everett Millais is aone of those phantastic and exquisit painters who nowadays are extremly underrated. Like Alma Tadema, Bouguereau and for example John William Waterhouse and many more of this era!. - What a shame! The Victorian era is in the point of quality absolutely comparable with the High-Renaissance! Sorry for my english!
