Taylor Swift’s new music video for “The Fate of Ophelia” has inspired a flood of response. Art lovers are understandably anxious to view the painting by Friedrich Heyser, now exhibited at the Museum Wiesbaden in west Germany. The video showcases Swift embodying the tragic character Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, drawing inspiration from Heyser’s artwork, which dates back to around 1900.
This year is the 200th anniversary of Museum Wiesbaden, so the timing of this newfound attention couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. Even the museum’s staff was unprepared for the onslaught of Taylor Swift fans coming to see Heyser’s “Ophelia.” They equally poured in to admire the works of great artists – such as Alphonse Mucha and Hector Guimard.
Critics and fans initiated a buzz on social media platforms, revealing the initial inspiration behind the music video—the painting. Their enthusiasm uncovered this absolutely mind-blowing connection! This surprising discovery has led to much debate and speculation. Taylor Swift fans, this is the city where Taylor could have seen this painting in person while on her Eras tour coming through Germany July 2024!
Museum Wiesbaden wants to get in touch with Swift’s team. To this date, they’ve not gotten a single confirmation back, or any explicit detailing of the connection between the video and their artwork.
“It’s been a shock, to be honest. We have a colleague who has a friend who is a Swift fan and she noticed the video’s opening scene had a similarity with the Heyser painting and we thought, wow, what a coincidence – that’s exciting,” said Susanne Hirschmann, a museum spokesperson.
In Shakespeare’s original tragedy, poor Ophelia drowns in despair. After her father is murdered by her lover, Hamlet, Ophelia drowns herself in a nearby river. Yet, Swift’s version provides an altogether brighter future for the protagonist. This artistic reimagining connects to Swift’s larger motif of empowerment and resilience present in her work.
So told Museum Wiesbaden in a recent email, where staff say they are enjoying an “absolute Ophelia run,” as they greet a storm of new visitors. Hirschmann observed that the demographic makeup has changed dramatically.
“It’s a lot more teens than we usually see,” she remarked.
The museum has been taking advantage of this opportunity to exalt art as well as literature. On November 2, Museum Wiesbaden will host an “Ophelia reception,” which includes a guided tour aimed at exploring the history of Heyser’s painting and its relationship to Swift’s music video.
“It’s really lovely for us that suddenly everybody is talking about art too, thanks to a global star like Taylor Swift,” Hirschmann added.
The surge of publicity from Taylor Swift fans has caught the staff of the museum off guard, but they are leaning into it and enjoying the ride. The museum hopes that through this spotlight, further appreciation for Heyser’s work will be realized. Beyond all this, it aspires to induce more expansive engagement with the role of art in today’s culture.
Music lovers visit Museum Wiesbaden in droves to discover the fascinating interplay between traditional art and contemporary music. This colorful engagement quickly sparks new life for forgotten relics. Shakespeare’s Ophelia’s legacy is still felt today, now commingled with Taylor Swift’s own interpretation and creative vision.