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Ophelia by John Everett Millais – (work of art)

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Ophelia by John Everett Millais – (work of art)

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Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1852)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Movement: Pre-Raphaelite period
Dimensions: 76 x 112 cm

I came across this painting on Twitter a few months ago. Although I didn't even know what it was called at the time, Ophelia immediately drew my attention due to the ethereal nature scene, particularly the colorful array of petals that lie ever-so-gently across the clear waters. Never would I have thought that such a beautiful painting depicted a not-so pretty scene.

Sir John Everett Millais' Ophelia is often recognized as one of the defining works of the Pre-Raphaelite period. This 'oil on canvas' painting drew inspiration from the demise of the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet, who killed herself by drowning. Millais was able to depict this Shakespearean scene in a very calm, "ethereally harrowing" tone despite its original context.

Observing the painting, the woman does not seem to be dying a painful death. In fact, it's almost as if she is welcoming death with open arms. Her surrendering stance and exhausted expression suggest that she has already accepted her fate and no longer makes an effort to fight back. The artist was able to achieve this through his close attention to detail, nature, color, and composition.

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Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet – (work of art)

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Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet – (work of art)

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Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet (1875)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Period/Movement: Impressionism
Dimensions: 100 x 81 centimeters

I haven't gotten the chance to see this Monet piece in real life, but I first saw it on a scene from a music video which took inspiration from this particular painting. Observing the painting, I find myself drawn to the rough brushstrokes and the not-so detailed elements of the painting, like the clouds for example.

The creation of Woman with a Parasol began when Monet decided to paint a picture (literally) of his wife and son taking a stroll. Just like most Impressionism artworks, the painting is characterized by rough brushstrokes which captured how color conveyed light and how light fell on the subject matter.

I find it admirable how Monet was able to take a mundane moment – one that's absolutely nothing out of the ordinary – and turn into a classic work of art.

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Pompeii, ancient city in Italy
Process: natural aftereffects of a volcanic eruption
Year: 79 CE

Back in 79 CE, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the entire city of Pompeii under a layer of ash and pumice, tragically killing the city's inhabitants. As a result, it left us with a vast archaeological site and along with it, a heap of well-preserved Roman treasure.

As seen in the picture, the buildings and infrastructures remain upright to this day, giving present generations the opportunity to study the ancient history of Rome through the lens of this tragedy.

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The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet – (work of art)

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The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet – (work of art)

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The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet (1857)
Medium: Oil painting on canvas
Movement: Realism
Dimensions: 84 x 112 cm

My first impression of Millet's work was of the scene's dull and melancholy atmosphere. The muted color tones supported my initial interpretation of the painting. I also assumed that the three women in the photograph were not of high social standing based on their attire and behavior.

In this painting, Millet used the act of gleaning as the focal point of his artwork. The picture showcases this 19th century practice by using the women (the gleaners) as the subject matter. They seem to be scouring the land in search for leftover crops, despite the fact that there appears to be an abundance of harvest in the background.

This scene captures the harsh reality of social hierarchy in the 19th century, as gleaning was only done by the poorest of the poor who had no better means to put food on the table.

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Figure of a Male Rice Deity (Bulul)
Material: Wood
Geography: Philippines, Hapao region
Culture: Ifugao people

To others, this carved wooden figure might seem like just another ordinary statue. But in Ifugao culture, Bululs are trusted to guard rice crops because they are thought to contain powerful ancestral spirits.

Ifugao is widely known for their rice terraces, which explains why their culture revolves around the preservation of this crop. Bululs became a symbol of healing and protection, as well as blessing and provision.