A German museum experienced an unexpected surge in visitors as Taylor Swift fans flocked to see a painting that resembles a scene from Swift’s popular music video, “The Fate of Ophelia.” The Hessische Landesmuseum in Wiesbaden, central Germany, saw a significant increase in footfall over the weekend, with some visitors traveling from distant cities like Hamburg, including American families based at a nearby U.S. army facility.
The focal point for these Swift enthusiasts was an Art Nouveau artwork by Friedrich Heyser depicting Ophelia, the tragic character from Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” Ophelia, a character who descends into madness and meets a tragic end, is portrayed in Heyser’s painting surrounded by white water lilies. Although the exact creation date of the painting is uncertain, experts estimate it to be from around 1900.
The opening scene of Swift’s music video mirrors Heyser’s portrayal of Ophelia, prompting the museum team to organize a special tour for Swift fans in response to the buzz around the resemblance. Museum director Andreas Henning expressed interest in showing the original painting to Taylor Swift, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce new audiences to the museum through this connection with the global pop star.
The museum’s spokesperson, Susanne Hirschmann, revealed that fans dressing up as either Taylor Swift or Ophelia will be granted free access to the upcoming tour on November 2. While the museum appreciates the attention generated by the painting’s association with Swift’s video, they cannot confirm if the artwork directly inspired the song. Nevertheless, the museum is embracing the unexpected spotlight and welcoming new visitors drawn by the intriguing link between art and pop culture.