Ophelia
John Everett Millais · 1851
Why it's great
A young woman floats in a river among flowers, singing as she drifts, based on a scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Millais painted every leaf and petal with incredible detail, spending months outdoors beside a river. The model, Elizabeth Siddal, lay in a bathtub filled with water for hours. It's one of the most beloved works of the Pre-Raphaelites, who loved nature and storytelling.
Where to see it
📍 Tate BritainLondon, United Kingdom
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
John Everett Millais was born in Southampton, England, and was a child prodigy who entered the Royal Academy at 11. He co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group that painted with bright color and fine detail. Later he became a famous society painter and was made a baronet, the first artist to receive that honor. He ended his life as President of the Royal Academy in London.
