Christina Nilsson (1843-1921), opera-singer, as Ofelia Alexandre Cabanel (1823-1889)

The painting depicts a young woman with auburn hair adorned with small white flowers and purple ribbons, standing in a lush, arboreal setting near a body of water. She is dressed in an ornate, patterned green gown with flowing sleeves and a pale inner layer visible at the neckline and cuffs. Her hands are delicately holding a wilting pink flower, with other small flowers and leaves adorning her dress. Her expression is serene yet melancholic, and her gaze is directed slightly away from the viewer.

The subtext of the painting is deeply rooted in Shakespeares Hamlet, portraying the character Ophelia. Ophelia, in her madness, is depicted in the midst of nature, often associated with flowers. The wilting flower in her hand and the somber atmosphere suggest themes of lost innocence, betrayal, and approaching tragedy, all central to Ophelias fate. The womans beauty and the seemingly serene setting starkly contrast with the implied narrative of Ophelias mental decline and eventual drowning, creating a poignant and tragic undertone. The portrait captures a moment of fragile beauty on the brink of sorrow.