Ophelia

The project draws its inspiration from Shakespeare's tragic heroine, Ophelia. In the play, Ophelia descends into madness after her father, Polonius, is murdered by her lover, Hamlet. She meets a premature end, plagued by grief and insanity. The tragic events of her death are not enacted on stage, but only referenced in a conversation between Queen Gertrude and Ophelia’s brother, Laertes. Gertrude narrates how Ophelia, while gathering flowers, fell into the river and gradually drowned, singing all the while. The figure of Ophelia emerges from the darkness of the water. The contrast between the dark background and the light presence of Ophelia prevails. The relationship between beauty and sorrow, found in Shakespeare's poetry, creates a dark painting of rare beauty.