Artist: Annie Ovenden

Title: Ophelia

Medium: Oil on hardboard

Size: 91.5cm x 76cm

Date: 1979-80

Source: {B12}

Exhibited

Ophelia
City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery,
5 July - 2 August 1980

Reproduced

The Constant Nymph
Margaret Kennedy
Virago Modern Classics, 1983
[Cover illustration]

Supplementary Information

Ophelia, the tragic heroine of Shakespeare's Hamlet was the subject of the Ruralists' first themed exhibition (1980), for which this painting was created.

The subject has been frequently chosen by artists, perhaps the most famous is John Everett Millais' work of 1851-2, painted in true Pre-Raphaelite style. The Pre-Raphaelites are a clear influence on the Ruralists and Annie Ovenden's painting might be regarded, partially at least, as paying homage to Millais.

Driven mad by the murder of her father by her lover Hamlet and stricken with grief, Ophelia allows herself to drown after slipping into a stream whilst picking flowers. Millais' painting portrays Ophelia floating to her death, clutching the flowers as described by Gertrude in the play. Annie Ovenden's painting shows Ophelia shortly before her falling into the stream holding the flowers, painted with equal realism.

Ophelia by Millais (1829-1896)

Refer to the Tate Gallery Website for further information