---
title: Ophelia
author: John Everett Millais
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20826/ophelia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-08-27
---
# Ophelia
_Authored by John Everett Millais_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20826.jpg)
## Image Caption
*Ophelia*, oil on canvas by John Everett Millais, 1851-1852.
This painting depicts the character Ophelia from [William Shakespeare](https://www.worldhistory.org/William_Shakespeare/)'s play *Hamlet*, in which she falls into a stream and drowns after her father is murdered by Hamlet, her lover. Ophelia's [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) is recounted in a speech by Queen Gertrude in Act IV, Scene VII.
Tate [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/), London.
## Bibliography
- Secher, Benjamin. "Ten things you never knew about Ophelia." *The Daily Telegraph*, 22 September 2007.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Millais, J. E. (2025, August 27). Ophelia. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Millais, John Everett. "Ophelia." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 27, 2025. .
### MLA
Millais, John Everett. "Ophelia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Aug 2025, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Everett_Millais_-_Ophelia_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) by [**John Everett Millais**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Everett_Millais_-_Ophelia_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg). Submitted by [Kathleen A. Mijares](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/kathleenmijares/ "User Page: Kathleen A. Mijares"), published on 27 August 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.