Hamlet and the Queen

Hamlet and the Queen is a profound lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1834. This highly sought-after print is classified as the third state of four, indicating the artist's meticulous process of refinement across multiple impressions before the final plate was approved. Delacroix, a leading figure of French Romanticism, frequently turned to dramatic literary sources, finding particular resonance in the tragic narratives of William Shakespeare.

Delacroix’s interpretation captures the tense psychological drama between the titular prince and his mother, the queen. The composition emphasizes the claustrophobic setting of the confrontation, utilizing the lithographic medium to explore deep contrasts and powerful shadows, which emphasize the emotional turmoil of the figures. This work belongs to a significant series of prints Delacroix devoted to illustrating key scenes from the famous play, cementing his role as a key visual interpreter of Shakespearean drama in the nineteenth century. The dramatic interplay between the central subjects—the grieving prince and the defensive queen—highlights the Romantic era’s fascination with extreme personal conflict and profound feeling.

Held in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this impression of Hamlet and the Queen serves as a vital record of Delacroix’s graphic output. Although many of the artist's signature masterworks are large-scale paintings, his achievements in the field of prints remain artistically significant and historically influential. Due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution reproductions of this lithograph are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access for scholars and art enthusiasts globally.