Hamlet: Hamlet and the Queen

Hamlet: Hamlet and the Queen by Eugène Delacroix is a powerful lithograph created in 1834. This print belongs to the artist's celebrated series illustrating William Shakespeare’s tragedy, a project that occupied the preeminent French Romantic painter for over a decade. Delacroix, a key figure in 19th-century French culture, was profoundly inspired by literary subjects and found in Hamlet the ideal vehicle for exploring intense psychological drama and emotional conflict, hallmarks of the Romantic movement he championed.

The scene depicted is the intense ‘Closet Scene,’ where Hamlet confronts his mother, Queen Gertrude, regarding her hasty remarriage following the death of his father. Delacroix utilizes the expressive capabilities of the lithographic medium, employing deep blacks and stark contrasts to enhance the feeling of tension and confrontation. The dynamic use of shadow and light emphasizes the complex relationship between mother and son, translating the drama of the stage directly onto the surface of the print.

Delacroix’s approach to illustration was revolutionary; rather than merely recounting the plot, he sought to embody the psychological state of his characters. This important example of 19th-century prints, demonstrating the era’s fascination with literary adaptation, is held in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Owing to its historical significance and age, the image, which originated in France, is widely recognized and frequently made available for scholarly reference and general viewing through public domain archives.