Art in Focus | The Real Ophelia | Tate

Elizabeth Siddal is known as the model posing in Millais's painting of Ophelia. But there is much more to learn about this story. Here we explore her life as an artist and poet, her influence on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the challenges she faced living within Victorian society.

[annalomax]

I think it's important to note the pain that Rossetti caused her as a lover through countless infidelities, as well as the fact that after she died he buried poems with her, and then dug up her grave a few years later to get them back out. He treated her very badly, and this treatment was one of, if not the main, cause of her laudanum overdose.

[AforAwesome]

I’m a senior in HS and every year the seniors have to choose a famous painting to recreate on a ceiling tile, and I chose Ophelia. The amount of detail on this painting is remarkable, and I’ve spent hours staring at it and I still find new hidden details! This is definitely my favorite painting so I’m glad I found this video talking about it’s history, so thank you!

[martinbright]

What a shame this isn't an exhibition. What a fascinating topic.

[cerisessence]

I saw this painting in Red Velvet “Feel My Rhythm”

[DeidreL]

Elizabeth is one of my heroines. She wrote and painted exquisitely, and she had so much depth and feeling and determination. So much went wrong for her, so much hurt and pain, but she will ALWAYS be a beacon of light for women artists…and our Ophelia❤️

[yucheung]

I have always been disgusted by how most traditional art romanticizes and beautifies Ophelia's death. Her death was cruel and unjust (at least this is what I felt after reading the play) and I thought these paintings should paint the real, ugly death of women drowning in polluted rivers, instead of romanticizing being oppressed and women driven to suicide.

[echoinsahara]

This is one of the most beautiful paintings in the history in my opinion but I never really knew the backstory. Thank you for the video!

[riconguyenofficial]

Red Velvet did a reference in "Feel My Rhythm" MV

[ingridllinas]

Thanks for all the details and description of this beautiful painting, and life of the famous red haired model of the Raphaelite’s artists. Elizabeth Siddal was Rossetti’s muse.

[NikitaCoulombe]

Understanding more about the creation and history around this painting makes me appreciate it more. Great video!

[carolinehaythornthwaite]

A moving tribute to a beautiful woman.

[mclare]

What a beautifully captured moment in art history. Thank you.

[Dadolinaswing]

I don’t like that the video is trying to say that Siddal was the one who wanted to marry later. Rossetti was ashamed of her origins because she was from a working class family and he was the one postponing the wedding. Also it’s very likely that she committed suicide as a result of depression and that it wasn’t an accident.

[laurenmarienitka]

The Art Curious Podcast with Jennifer Dasal just did an episode on Elizabeth Siddal if you’re interested in learning more about her!

[k-dramagoodmorningseoul]

Hi! How are you?

In Korea/Seoul, the rainy season stopped for a while today. Looking at the clear sky, my mind was clear.

I hope you have good health and good things on weekends and holidays. Thank you.

[kmm]

I watched the New Romantics when I was in my 20s, that show - it was everything at the time. Now I see it as adolescent, but it felt so big and complete at the time.

[susantaylor]

A brilliant portrayal of such an iconic painting - thank you 😊

[kevinyigu]

Impressive! When Tate lent it to MAP (Museum of Art Pudong) as opening exhibition last year, I finally got a chance to watch it closely.

[MementoMorituri]

I didn't think about this painting much until I saw it in person. I've been in love with it ever since.

[shoeboxofangels]

Now I know what inspired the famous Finnish band Negative to create the song Frozen To Loose It All for the music video. The video is just like this painting. I love Tate! ❤️💟💙