Ophelia - John William Waterhouse
Archival giclée
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Description
John William Waterhouse's *Ophelia* captures the tragic Shakespearean character in a Pre-Raphaelite style. The painting depicts Ophelia lying in a field of flowers near the stream where she will meet her fate.
John William Waterhouse's 1889 painting, *Ophelia*, depicts a scene from Shakespeare's *Hamlet*. The tragic character Ophelia, driven mad by her father's death and Hamlet's rejection, lies near a stream before her accidental drowning. Waterhouse captures Ophelia in a moment of serene resignation, surrounded by the lush, overgrown vegetation of the riverbank. The painting is executed in the Pre-Raphaelite style, characterised by its attention to detail, use of symbolic imagery, and depiction of literary subjects. The artist meticulously renders the flowers and foliage, each bloom potentially carrying symbolic meaning related to Ophelia's fate. The palette is dominated by greens and browns, with the white of Ophelia's dress providing a striking contrast. The composition draws the viewer's eye to Ophelia's face, her expression conveying a sense of melancholy and acceptance. Waterhouse's *Ophelia* is one of several paintings of this subject by the artist, each offering a slightly different interpretation of the iconic character.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Ophelia - John William Waterhouse
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Specific Features
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- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
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- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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Care & Cleaning
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- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
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Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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Artist Biography
John William Waterhouse
He was born in Rome to English parents (both painters) and grew up surrounded by Italian art before moving to London as a child. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited there from 1874 until his death in 1917. He was a Royal Academician, successful, respected, and thoroughly Victorian.
His technique is Pre-Raphaelite in spirit but Impressionist in handling. The early works are tighter, more archaeological, influenced by Alma-Tadema's classical scenes. The later paintings are looser, with broader brushwork and richer colour. The Lady of Shalott (1888) combines both: precise detail in the boat and tapestry, atmospheric softness in the trees and water.
He painted several versions of the same subjects. Two versions of The Lady of Shalott. Two of Ophelia. Multiple paintings of Circe. He returned to the same stories because the stories gave him what he needed: a beautiful woman in a dramatic landscape at a moment of transformation. The formula was reliable and the execution was consistently good.
He is sometimes grouped with the Pre-Raphaelites but was a generation younger than Rossetti, Millais, and Hunt. He was closer to the Aesthetic Movement and to late Victorian narrative painting. He is one of the most reproduced painters in the history of art prints, which would have pleased him.
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