In creating my permutation of Ophelia with Elizabeth Sidal as model, I drew upon both their stories. Both women suffered tragedies in their lives, Ophelia in the play Hamlet is consumed by grief when she discovers her lover accidentally kills her father and falls into the river, mad and distraught. Elizabeth Sidal who posed for the original painting was known for her everlasting beauty, a muse for so many artists- and I wanted to show her at peace in her moment of death. Flowers were symbolic in Ophelia and it was important for me to highlight them. Pansies signify love in vain, daisies her innocence and nettle her pain, all coming together to visually describe Ophelia and perhaps also Elizabeth’s life.