Hamlet: The Death of Hamlet

The lithograph Hamlet: The Death of Hamlet by Eugène Delacroix, created in 1843, captures the dramatic climax of Shakespeare’s tragedy. As the leading figure of French Romanticism, Delacroix frequently turned to dramatic literature for inspiration, finding in the melancholic figure of Hamlet a subject perfectly suited to his expressive style. This piece is the last in a renowned series of sixteen lithographs illustrating the play, a project that spanned nearly a decade of the artist's career.

This powerful print, executed using the lithographic process, demonstrates Delacroix’s mastery of stark tonal contrasts, utilizing deep blacks and brilliant whites to enhance the emotional intensity and theatricality of the scene. The composition depicts the Prince of Denmark dying, surrounded by the recently fallen figures of Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius, with Horatio mourning the loss nearby. The use of rapid, energetic lines and dramatic chiaroscuro places the work firmly within the Romantic tradition of 19th-century France.

Delacroix’s influential collection of Hamlet prints circulated widely during their time, solidifying the artist's reputation as a literary illustrator and profoundly influencing subsequent European graphic arts. This specific impression of Hamlet: The Death of Hamlet is housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of the age and enduring cultural importance of the artist’s oeuvre, high-quality images of many of these dramatic prints are often available through public domain resources, allowing global access to Delacroix’s powerful literary interpretations and his unique vision of Shakespeare.