Ophelia’s Wreath

Original Watercolour painting

“There with fantastic garlands did she come of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples…”    Hamelet – Act IV, scene vii

In a society closer to nature than our own, it was easy for Shakespeare to make each flower significant of something and use it for messages or quasi-superstitious purposes. Ophelia’s garland of wild flowers and weeds symbolizes the circumstance of her short life:

Crowflowers – represent her maiden state
Nettles – pain and love spurned
Daisies – a reflection of her beauty
Long purples – the chill of death

Painting Details

• Image Size:  21″ x 21″
• Framed
• Painted on Arches 300lb paper with Mameri paints