John Everett Millais

John Everett Millais

"Ophelia"

Oil on canvas

2' 6" x 3' 8"

1852

Biography:

John Everett Millais was born June 8, 1829. He was an English painter and illustrator. He trained at the "Royal Academy of Art, " and was involved with the "Pre-Raphelite" movement. His works were highly controversial but gained popular success with "Huguenot," a sad work about two lovers separated because of religion. he met a women named Effie, who was his friend's Ruskin's wife. He painted Effie and they soon fell in love. She then remarried John, and they had Eight children. Many of his critics were harsh on him and because of his change of style he lost some support. He was elected a member of the "Royal Academy Of Arts." He died August 13, 1896, at age 67. 

Artist's Statement:

"The subject, form Shakespeare's Hamlet, is the drowning of Ophelia, who in her madness, is unaware of her plight."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.641) 

Background History:

To capture Ophelia's figure the way John wanted it, he had a friend lie inside a bathtub full of hot water for hours on end. Ophelia is a Shakespearean subject and Millais wrote a poem about this painting, also like Joseph Turner with his painting presented in this show. the poem read, "Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up- Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her own distress"(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.641) He was very precise to the visual facts. 

Connection: 

Death and Despair is the reoccurring theme. It felt natural to choose this piece because of the death written on Ophelia's lifeless body and face. The landscape looks calm and welcoming as her body floats gracefully, lifeless and pale. Death and Nature come together for me because it represents the tragic beauty of death and rebirth.