Hamlet Tries To Follow His Father's Ghost

Hamlet Tries To Follow His Father's Ghost is a dramatic lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1835. This work exemplifies the Romantic fascination with intense psychological drama, drawing directly from the iconic tragedy by William Shakespeare. As a key example of the artist’s graphic production, the piece is cataloged as a print and specifically identified as the second state among a total of four, illustrating Delacroix’s precise methods for refining his compositions.

Delacroix was a lifelong admirer of Shakespeare, and his extensive series of lithographs based on Hamlet cemented his reputation as a master interpreter of the playwright. This specific scene captures the moment when the young prince attempts to pursue the terrifying apparition of his deceased father on the battlements of Elsinore Castle. The medium of lithography, popular in the 19th century, perfectly suited the subject matter, allowing Delacroix to employ high contrast and deep blacks to emphasize the chilling atmosphere and the men’s fearful encounter.

The powerful composition centers on the emotional weight of Hamlet’s dilemma, a central theme of Romantic art. This influential work belongs to a set of prints that had a broad impact on subsequent graphic artists. The piece currently resides within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints of this influential Romantic interpretation are frequently studied, offering valuable insight into both Delacroix’s draftsmanship and the history of the public domain’s engagement with classical literature.