The Ghost on the Terrace

The Ghost on the Terrace by Eugène Delacroix, created in 1843, is a powerful early example of Romantic printmaking. This lithograph, classified specifically as the first state of five, captures the artist’s initial dramatic vision for the composition. The print is drawn directly from William Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, focusing on the harrowing moment where the protagonist confronts the specter of his recently murdered father.

Delacroix was deeply captivated by Shakespearean drama throughout his career, frequently choosing scenes that depicted profound emotional conflict. In this composition, the artist utilizes the technical strengths of the lithographic process to heighten the tension between the two men. The stark contrasts of light and shadow emphasize the shadowy, ethereal nature of the ghost against the distraught figure of Hamlet. Delacroix’s masterful handling of the greasy crayon allowed for the creation of rich, velvety blacks and dramatic modeling, characteristic of his mature graphic style.

The visual intensity of the composition aligns with the growing 19th-century interest in publishing affordable, high-quality prints based on dramatic literature. Delacroix recognized the capacity of lithography to translate the emotional turbulence of Shakespeare directly onto paper, reaching a broader audience. As one of the most significant Romantic artists of his era, Delacroix ensured his works were widely circulated through reproductive media. This important impression of The Ghost on the Terrace is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a crucial moment in the history of 19th-century French prints.