Reading Images

1. Semiotic Analysis
Title: Ophelia (by Sir John Everett Millais)
Size: 76 cm x 1.12 m
Medium: Oil on canvas
Location/Gallery: Tate Britain, London
Signature: (Info could not be found)
Price: Approximately £30 million

2. Iconic Analysis
Subject: Ophelia (a woman)
Type: History
Source: Ophelia is inspired from one of Shakespeare’s notable works, Hamlet
Description of painting by the artist: A noblewoman named Ophelia who longed
for happiness, but ended up with her tragic, lonely fate.

3. Contextual Analysis

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia was a noblewoman who was also the

potential wife of Hamlet. Unfortunately, she lost her sanity due to her father,
Polonius dying at the hands of her lover. She fell from a broken willow tree
branch while picking flowers, and drowned into a brook. In the painting she is
seen to be floating, and that is because of her voluminous dress (implied in the
play). However, this painting was never enacted in the play, but simply discussed
by the Queen and Ophelia’s brother. The painting was from Millais’ own
imagination and understanding.

During this era, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood emerged. They were a

group of artists who believed that art should be as realistic as possible – that the
artwork must depict the real world. The Pre-Raphaelites were renowned for their
modern works in history settings. Millais was one of the founders of this
brotherhood, and it is quite evident in this artwork. The intricate detailing in this
painting makes it look pragmatic.

In addition to that, Millais painted the landscape by the Hogsmill River at

Ewell in Surrey. It was a traditional belief of that era that the landscape is of less
importance than the subject. However, Millais believed that the landscape was as
important as the figure, so it was painted first.

Back in the days, photography, if not nonexistent was not as advanced as

to how it is today. But Millais’ work has been regarded to be so detailed that it
actually looks like an actual photograph. It is fascinating how the painting was
able to depict life with its ethereal elements, and death with the story behind it.

Colors and Elements

There are actually two parts to the painting. First being Ophelia, and
second the landscape. The landscape was inspired by nature itself. It shows lively
and vivid colors that allow the flowers from the background bloom. The greens in
the painting are also very refreshing to look at. Ophelia, on the other hand, looks
pale. She is painted with a cold undertone. It can also be reflected on her face and
dress. Overall, there is a great contrast of colors between the landscape and
Ophelia.

As for the elements, it is evident that it was inspired from nature. The
flowers look realistic that even botany teachers have commended Millais’ work.
Accordingly, the flowers also have deeper meanings to them. One great example
are the red poppies–it symbolizes death. As for the subject herself, a woman
named Elizabeth Siddal served as the model. She laid in a bathtub full of water
with oil lamps surrounding her just for Millais to get the ambience. Looking at
the picture as a whole, the elements were a balance of both life and death–
making a realistic approach to reality.
 REFERENCES
A. (2021, July 16). Visual Analysis Ophelia Example. GraduateWay.

https://graduateway.com/visual-analysis-ophelia/

Jones, C. P. (2021, April 7). How to Read Paintings: Ophelia by John Everett Millais. Medium.

https://medium.com/thinksheet/how-to-read-paintings-ophelia-by-john-everett-millais-

54eeebc59ab6

Kirti, K. (2021, May 7). Fascinating Things You Might Not Know About Millais’s Ophelia.

Medium. https://medium.com/the-collector/fascinating-things-you-might-not-know-

about-millaiss-ophelia-ee4740225ff3

Tate. (n.d.). The Story of Ophelia – Look Closer. Retrieved September 24, 2021, from

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/millais-ophelia-n01506/story-ophelia