Ophelia
John William Waterhouse · 1894
Why it's great
A young woman sits by a lake in a field of flowers, with a faraway look, in a pale, flowing dress. Waterhouse painted Shakespeare's Ophelia, in the sad moment before the end. The flowers are meticulously painted. It's one of several Waterhouse paintings of this character.
Where to see it
🔒 Private collectionOwned by a person or family, so it isn't usually on public display.
Hang it on your wall
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 William Waterhouse was born in Rome to English parents and later lived in London. He painted women from myths and legends — such as the Lady of Shalott and sirens — in lush, colorful detail. He admired the Pre-Raphaelites, who came before him. He died in London in 1917.
