Hamlet Contemplating Yorick’s Skull

Hamlet Contemplating Yorick’s Skull by Eugène Delacroix, created in 1828, is a pivotal work of French Romanticism that reflects the artist’s deep engagement with Shakespearean tragedy. Executed as a lithograph on chine collé, this print captures one of the play's most profoundly meditative moments, emphasizing the themes of mortality and existential doubt central to the drama. The technical demands of lithography allowed Delacroix to achieve rich, painterly tonal contrasts, enhancing the somber atmosphere of the setting.

The composition places the melancholic Prince Hamlet alone among the tombs and debris of the cemeteries. He is intensely focused on the skull of Yorick, the former court jester, which he holds in his hand. Delacroix’s dramatic treatment of light and shadow, particularly in this specific impression which is the third state of three, heightens the emotional isolation of the figure. Unlike academic interpretations, Delacroix imbues the scene with a palpable sense of internal struggle, showcasing why he is considered a master of Romantic expression.

Delacroix was a fervent admirer of English literature and created numerous print cycles illustrating Shakespearean subjects, recognizing the power of the new medium to circulate dramatic scenes to a wide audience. This powerful study of men and their confrontation with death solidified Delacroix’s reputation as a preeminent graphic artist of his era. This important print is part of the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.