Hamlet and the Queen (Act III, Scene IV)

Hamlet and the Queen (Act III, Scene IV) is a powerful lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1834. Delacroix, a titan of the French Romantic school, frequently found inspiration in dramatic literary sources, particularly the works of William Shakespeare. This print belongs to a series of works produced during the height of the Romantic Period, 1826 to 1850, when classical strictures were being aggressively challenged by emotional expression and dynamic composition. The artist’s deep engagement with psychological narrative made the tension and tragedy of Hamlet an ideal subject.

Delacroix’s chosen medium, lithography, allowed him to achieve striking contrasts of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, emphasizing the tense, claustrophobic psychological state of the characters. Classified as a portfolio piece, this work was designed for wider dissemination than unique oil paintings, showcasing the artist’s skill in graphic media and introducing his dramatic sensibilities to a broader audience. The scene captures the pivotal moment from Shakespeare’s tragedy, Act III, Scene IV, often referred to as the "closet scene." Here, Hamlet confronts his mother, Queen Gertrude, accusing her of betrayal following the murder of his father and her subsequent hasty marriage to Claudius. Delacroix masterfully utilizes the drama inherent in the script, rendering the figures with expressive gestures and deeply shadowed drapery that heighten the emotional conflict.

Delacroix’s powerful interpretation of Shakespearean tragedy was highly influential on later 19th-century artists exploring literary subjects. The energy captured in this print exemplifies the period’s preference for intense, internalized drama over grand historical tableaux. This remarkable work, a significant example of French graphic arts during the 1830s, is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. As this lithograph is widely referenced and has entered broad circulation through institutional sharing, high-quality prints of the original work are often made available through initiatives promoting public domain access to historical art.