Hamlet and Ophelia, plate 5 from Hamlet

Hamlet and Ophelia, plate 5 from Hamlet is a powerful illustration created by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, executed over the period 1835-1843. This highly specific print is classified as a lithograph in black, demonstrating the Romantic master’s skill in translating dramatic themes into graphic art. The print utilizes complex materials; the image was rendered on delicate off-white China paper, which was subsequently laid down onto a heavier sheet of white wove paper for stability and preservation.

Delacroix, a foremost figure of the French Romantic movement, was intensely preoccupied with the literature of William Shakespeare, finding in the playwright’s tragedies the perfect vehicle for psychological exploration and dramatic lighting. His illustrations for Hamlet were influential in 19th-century France, cementing the artist’s reputation not only as a painter but also as a profound illustrator. The composition of Hamlet and Ophelia captures a moment of intense, fraught interaction, visualizing the melancholy and emotional isolation central to the play’s narrative.

Delacroix’s sustained commitment to this project, evident in its elongated creation span (1835-1843), underscores the importance of graphic prints in disseminating Romantic ideals across Europe. His mastery of the lithographic medium allowed for nuanced tonal shifts and deep, dramatic shadows, which enhance the tragic mood of the scene. This significant work of French printmaking resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As an early 19th-century masterwork, the lithograph and its accompanying prints are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring the accessibility of Delacroix's powerful visualization of Shakespeare.