Ophelia
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Date
Authors
Coetzee, Christo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of the University of Pretoria Art
Abstract
Description
Apparently, this portrait of a young
Spanish girl was considered to be one of
Coetzee's prized possessions. It depicts
the fictional character Ophelia from the
Shakespearian play, Hamlet. Flowers
were always iconographic of artistic
portrayals of Ophelia and Coetzee
brought his own interpretation to this
classic theme by painting flowers in her
hair rather than having her hold a
bouquet. A Spanish Conde or Nobleman
once offered to buy this painting for a
vast sum of money, but Coetzee refused.
Keywords
Portrait, painting