Taylor Swift fans are flocking to a German museum to view a painting of Ophelia believed to have inspired the pop star's new music video.
The Hessische Landesmuseum in the German city of Wiesbaden enjoyed hundreds more visitors than usual over the weekend, as Swifties hoped to get a look at the artwork.
The painting is by Friedrich Heyser and features Ophelia, Hamlet’s beloved in William Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
It resembles the opening scene of Swift's music video for 'The Fate of Ophelia' from her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, in which Swift becomes a living painting.
"We're really enjoying this attention – it's a lot of fun," museum spokesperson Susanne Hirschmann told the Associated Press.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Hirschmann added: "We are really astonished at the media is interested in this."
Swifties flock to museum to view artwork
She said: "For us, it's a really great opportunity to bring people to the museum who don't know us yet, and also just to talk about the art."
Hirschmann told the BBC that the scene depicted in Heyser's painting reveals "the balance between life and death using fragile women", which "fascinated the artists of the time".
Museum director Andreas Henning told German news agency DPA: "We are surprised and delighted that Taylor Swift used this painting from the museum as inspiration for her video.
"This is, of course, a great opportunity to attract people to the museum who don't know us yet."
To promote Swift's new album ahead of its release, Spotify recently hosted a pop-up experience in New York featuring hidden Easter eggs and exclusive photo opportunities, all inspired by The Life of a Showgirl.
