Taylor Swift Fans Flock to German Museum to See Ophelia Painting Behind Music Video Inspiration
A surge of visitors has descended on a German museum this weekend, drawn by a striking connection between a centuries-old painting and the opening scene of Taylor Swift’s latest music video.
The Hessische Landesmuseum in Wiesbaden reported a sharp increase in attendance after fans noticed the uncanny resemblance between the Friedrich Heyser painting of Ophelia and Swift’s portrayal in her video for The Fate Of Ophelia.
The painting, believed to date back to around 1900, shows the Shakespearean character lying in water, her dress flowing and flowers surrounding her, a haunting image brought to life by Swift in the video.
Museum spokesperson Susanne Hirschmann said that the connection was spotted by fans and highlighted on the museum’s website, prompting special tours for visitors.
“We are surprised and delighted that Taylor Swift used this painting from the museum as inspiration for her video,” museum director Andreas Henning said. “This is, of course, a great opportunity to attract people to the museum who don’t know us yet.”
Henning added that the museum has attempted to contact Swift but has yet to hear back. “I would love to show Taylor Swift the original painting sometime,” he said.
The Fate Of Ophelia is the lead single from Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life Of A Showgirl, which has already made waves internationally.
THE FATE OF OPHELIA. pic.twitter.com/WJnSYiAXg4
— Taylor Swift Brasil (@taylorswiftbr) October 5, 2025
The album achieved her 15th US Number One, with Swift holding all twelve top spots on the Billboard Hot 100—a feat unmatched in music history.
Meanwhile, the album topped the Billboard 200, breaking Adele’s record for first-week sales in the streaming era with over four million equivalent units.
Critical reception has been mixed. NME gave the album three stars, noting: “To seek escapism is not a sin, but the best pop music makes the personal feel like life or death.
‘Speak Now’, ‘Reputation’, ‘Folklore’: her greatest works could be genuinely transformative. For the first time, ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’ sees Swift not catalyzed into artistic growth by love, but merely comfortably secured by it.”
Fans have also been discussing the song’s underlying narratives, including the Travis love story highlighted in Taylor Swift’s lyrics, which has added another layer of intrigue to the album.
Swift has also announced a new six-part docuseries chronicling her record-breaking Eras Tour, promising more insight into her global pop phenomenon.
The museum expects the crowds to continue over the coming weeks, as both art enthusiasts and Swift superfans flock to see the Ophelia painting that has captured the imagination of a generation.
