Hamlet and Laertes in Ophelia's Grave

Hamlet and Laertes in Ophelia's Grave is a dramatic lithograph created by the preeminent French Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) in 1843. This powerful work, classified as a print, demonstrates Delacroix’s profound connection to literary sources, specifically the works of William Shakespeare, which were a cornerstone of the Romantic movement in 19th-century France. The execution of the work utilizes lithography printed in black on delicate off-white China paper, which was skillfully laid down on a sturdier white wove paper, showcasing the artist's dedication to graphic arts during this period.

The print captures the emotionally charged climax of the confrontation at Ophelia's burial (Act V, Scene 1). Delacroix focuses intensely on the raw violence of the scene as the grief-maddened Hamlet leaps into the open grave to grapple with the fiercely protective Laertes. The artist uses strong contrasts of light and shadow, characteristic of his graphic prints, to heighten the feeling of chaos and despair surrounding the figures. This expressive handling cemented Delacroix’s reputation as the foremost master of Romantic history painting and printmaking in France.

Produced during a fertile period of the artist's career focused on graphic art, this image remains a definitive visual interpretation of Shakespearean tragedy, providing insight into how French artists translated foreign literature into dramatic visual forms. This historically significant work is currently held within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the global accessibility of influential 19th-century prints that often reside in the public domain today.