"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. "

Since I'll be looking into John Everett Millais more, I'll be posting a helpful links from time to time:

Small gallery of his work

I thought this piece was interesting. It's titled, "The Bridesmaid" and was painted around the same time "Ophelia" was in 1851. She seems to have an almost holy look to her, innocent yet sad. Maybe it ties in to the expression "always a bridesmaid, never a bride."

I also like this one and this one.

After looking through the paintings, I find it interesting that he can paint such stoic , almost statue-like portraits, and yet put so much life into to his other work.

"A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament."

As I've mentioned before, I shall be posting research on Sir John Everett Millais, and his painting "Ophelia".

Naturally, Millais is not the only one who has painted this tragic femme.

Other artist and their portrayals include:

Joseph Severn

Richard Redgrave

Eugène Delacroix (though he is most well known in the art world for this.)

James Sant

George Frederic Watts

Madeleine Lemaire

(For a complete list, check out this site)

SO WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE???

I'd have to say my favorite (so far) is Ernest Hébert's portrayal:




And the striking black and white version:



This Ophelia isn't you common poster child for flower seeds and helplessness; the flowers seem hang on to her, not the other way around. She projects emotion, depth, darkness, and sexuality through her piercing stare that speaks silently of a deep pain inside.

"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."

Perhaps if Ophelia had somehow pondered this thought before she went and drowned herself a whole chain of events that led to the climatic ending that is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark might have been avoided (and in consequence, a bunch of people might still have been alive by the end of the play.)

At any rate, Shakespeare, another notorious author like our very own Oscar, is infamous in the arts and literature settings alike. His works are perhaps the most popular subjects to be dismembered and pulverized; thus exposing their soft underbellies in the name of “metaphor” and “symbolism” by most modern day students in the high school and college settings alike.

(If anyone is not familiar with Ophelia and the play “Hamlet” I encourage you to utilize Google and find out more about it. And for Pete’s sake don’t ‘utilize’ Sparknotes because that takes the magic out of the whole thing.)

“Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,”



This is John Everett Millais’ portrayal of the tragic martyr, painted in 1852 (click picture for more detail).

John Everett Millais from this point onward is fair game for the next several posts, I’ll state right now I know nothing about the guy except that he painted one of my favorite Shakespearean characters (although, many people have done this).

http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Millais.Ophelia.html

According to this site, “Ophelia” is one of Millais’ best known paintings, although, it received none such appreciation when it was first created. Critics then referred to the expression on her face as “totally inappropriate” for various reasons. In fact many disregarded the subject of the painting entirely, only giving Millais credit for his technical skill.

(Whoops, apparently John Everett Millais is a SIR John Everett Millais. He shall be referred to by his proper title from here on.)

Ciao!

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." (The Purpose of This Blog)

We've been carefully molded in life to believe that everything on this earth has a purpose. Well, since I'm not here today to debate the true necessity of the human race (we can argue that fun stuff later folks), I must for the time provide you with an adequate purpose for the pixels creating this little corner of cyberspace.

So here's the hook:

Rachel, current student and curious individual has created this little hub of self expression to act as a sailing ship for exploring the various aspects of art, poetry, and diverse highlights of humanity.

It should be noted, that like all individuals, Rachel is not all knowing, and will therefore on occasion be posting research and questions on this page so that a better understanding of the pertaining subject may be achieved (eventually).

This blog is also INTERACTIVE. Rachel would never wish anyone to sit here and read her ramblings without giving them a chance to respond and in doing so, have their own fun.

"It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information."

And so, we must pass that around and learn from each other.



(Quotes by the irresistible Oscar Wilde)