Ophelia's Death

Ophelia's Death, created by the French Romantic master Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) in 1843, is a powerful example of the artist's engagement with dramatic literary sources. This work is classified as a print, specifically a lithograph executed in black on white wove paper. Delacroix, a key figure in 19th-century French Romanticism, frequently turned to the tragedies of William Shakespeare for inspiration, seeking subjects that allowed for high emotional intensity and dynamic composition.

The lithograph depicts the climactic scene from Hamlet where the distraught Ophelia drowns amidst the river foliage. Unlike the broad, turbulent brushstrokes characteristic of Delacroix’s oil paintings, the print medium requires the artist to articulate drama through meticulous control of line and profound contrasts between light and shadow. The resulting image captures the pathos and despair of the moment, emphasizing the vulnerability of the figure and the indifference of the natural setting, aesthetics highly prized by the Romantic movement in France. The technique of lithography also underscores Delacroix’s often overlooked mastery of the graphic arts, allowing him to disseminate his famous compositions through widely reproducible prints.

Produced during a period when print media was expanding public access to art, this work serves as an important record of Delacroix's contribution to printmaking. The enduring subject matter and its dramatic treatment ensure that Ophelia's Death remains a critical piece for studying the intersection of literature and art in the mid-19th century. This historic lithograph is preserved today within the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers insights into the dissemination of Romantic aesthetics. Images of this renowned work are frequently shared through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued scholarly access worldwide.