Introduction to the Painting
Hundreds of visitors flocked to a museum in central Germany after a painting was featured in a music video for the song "The Fate of Ophelia." The video begins with a superstar lying in a white dress that is reminiscent of an Art Nouveau painting by Friedrich Heyser. The painting is one of Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover in William Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
The Story Behind the Painting
In the original play, Ophelia eventually goes crazy and drowns in a river. The painting, which is believed to date from around 1900, has gained significant attention since its feature in the music video.
Museum Response
The Hessian State Museum in Wiesbaden saw an increase in visitors over the weekend, with hundreds of people coming to see the German artist’s painting. The fans include people who came especially from Hamburg in the north of the country, as well as families of American soldiers stationed at the US military base in Wiesbaden.
Director’s Statement
Andreas Henning, the museum’s director, told a news agency that he saw similarities between the music video and Heyser’s work. “We are surprised and delighted that the music video used this museum painting as inspiration,” Henning said. “This is of course a great opportunity to attract people to the museum who don’t yet know us.” Henning expressed a desire to "show the original painting to the artist at some point," although attempts to reach the artist have so far been unsuccessful.
