Hamlet and Ophelia

Hamlet and Ophelia by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, captures a pivotal, psychologically complex moment from Shakespeare’s tragedy. Executed between 1835 and 1843, this work is a superb example of the French Romantic movement and Delacroix’s lifelong fascination with profound literary subjects. Classified as a print, the piece was created using the demanding technique of lithography in black ink, a choice that allowed the artist to explore dramatic chiaroscuro effects. The composition was printed on delicate off-white China paper, which was subsequently laid down on a white wove paper support for stability.

Delacroix was a profound innovator in the print medium, utilizing lithography not merely for commercial illustration but also as a powerful tool for developing rich, velvety tonal contrasts and rapid, expressive lines. This artistic flexibility, widely appreciated in 19th-century France, allowed the artist to widely distribute his interpretations of classical narratives. The scene depicted focuses on the tragic tension between the conflicted Prince Hamlet and the doomed Ophelia, themes deeply resonant with the emotional intensity characteristic of Delacroix’s Romantic art.

During the decade spanning 1835-1843, Delacroix produced several influential series of prints based on major literary classics. This specific impression of Hamlet and Ophelia is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key record of Delacroix’s graphic output and his pioneering approach to theatrical narrative. As this important 19th-century print is often classified in the public domain, high-quality images are frequently available, ensuring the enduring study of Delacroix's contribution to French visual culture and the history of prints.