Ophelia was painted by Anna Lea Merritt in 1880.

Where can I see Ophelia?

Ophelia is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ophelia?

Ophelia is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Ophelia

Anna Lea Merritt , 1880

Ophelia is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Anna Lea Merritt. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Her hair falls loosely, and a fur‑trimmed wrap encircles her neck, set against a dark, indistinct background that obscures any surrounding details.

Anna Lea Merritt’s 1880 print titled Ophelia is executed in black ink using etching and aquatint on laid paper. The work presents a solitary female figure, shown from the shoulders up, clutching a modest bouquet of primarily white blossoms with green stems. Her hair falls loosely, and a fur‑trimmed wrap encircles her neck, set against a dark, indistinct background that obscures any surrounding details.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a contemplative woman, her expression and the delicate flowers suggesting a moment of quiet introspection. While the title invokes Shakespeare’s tragic Ophelia, the image does not depict a narrative scene; instead it offers a portrait‑like study that invites reflection on themes of fragility and melancholy associated with the literary figure.

Technique & Style

Merritt employed a combination of etching and aquatint, layering ink to achieve nuanced gradations of tone. The soft shadows around the face and the subtle texture of the fur wrap demonstrate careful manipulation of the aquatint ground, while the crisp lines of the bouquet retain the precision typical of traditional etching. The result is a contrast between delicate floral detail and the plush, tactile quality of the fur.

History & Provenance

Created in 1880, Ophelia is among Merritt’s early prints, produced during a period when she was establishing her reputation in the United States and Britain. The work has been documented in several collections of 19th‑century American printmakers, though specific ownership records remain limited, reflecting the modest circulation typical of prints of that era.