Ophelia 1910

John William Waterhouse painted Ophelia in oils, but the date is unknown. I love how he uses these muted, watery blues and greens – it’s a gentle, almost melancholic palette that really sets the mood. Look closely, and you can see how Waterhouse builds up the layers of paint, especially in Ophelia's dress. There's a real physicality to it; you can almost feel the weight of the fabric. But then, he contrasts that with these delicate, feathery strokes in the flowers and foliage. It’s a dance between solidity and ethereality, just like Ophelia’s character herself. I’m particularly drawn to the way he’s rendered the water lilies; each one is like a tiny universe of swirling colour and light. It reminds me of Monet, but with a touch of Pre-Raphaelite drama. It’s a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself, constantly reimagining and reinventing the past. Ultimately, what matters is the feeling it evokes, and this painting is full of feeling.