Hamlet and Horatio with the Gravediggers, plate 14 from Hamlet

Hamlet and Horatio with the Gravediggers, plate 14 from Hamlet by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, captures one of the most poignant moments in Shakespearean tragedy. Executed in 1843, this specific work is a masterful lithograph in black, exemplifying Delacroix’s dramatic draftsmanship. The delicate technical execution, printed on ivory China paper which was subsequently laid down on a sturdier white wove paper support, highlights the stark tonal contrasts central to the scene. This lithograph is part of an important series of graphic prints that Delacroix dedicated to the iconic narrative of Hamlet.

Delacroix, a towering figure of French Romanticism, frequently turned to Shakespeare for inspiration, viewing the playwright as the ultimate source of dramatic tension and psychological depth. This plate illustrates the encounter between Hamlet, Horatio, and the two Gravediggers, the moment culminating in the prince’s famous meditation on mortality as he holds Yorick's skull. The scene is characterized by the emotional intensity and theatrical staging characteristic of Delacroix’s style, positioning the melancholic prince centrally amidst the darkness of the open grave.

The series of Hamlet lithographs stands as a significant milestone in 19th-century French art, cementing Delacroix's legacy as a premier draftsman and profoundly influencing subsequent generations of artists drawn to the macabre and literary subjects. The artist’s commitment to translating Shakespeare's nuanced drama into the visual medium is evident in these highly sought-after prints. Today, this important piece resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making the image widely accessible for scholarly study and potential public domain utilization.