The Song of Ophelia (Act IV, Scene V)
1834
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1834
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a woman lying face-up in a pool, her arms stretched out. Two figures stand nearby—one with a hooded cloak, the other bare-shouldered. The scene looks like a dark, damp room with a tall pillar and arched doorway in the background. The woman in the water wears a crown of flowers, and her pale skin contrasts with the dark lines around her. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to show movement and emotion. Next, check out lithography to see how this kind of drawing was made.
