The Murder of Polonius (Act III, Scene IV)

The Murder of Polonius (Act III, Scene IV) by Eugène Delacroix is a powerful lithograph created between 1834 and 1843, illustrating a pivotal moment from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. The image captures the immediate consequences of Hamlet’s catastrophic error, where he mistakes the eavesdropping courtier Polonius for King Claudius hiding behind a curtain, resulting in the older man’s death. Delacroix, a central figure in French Romanticism, was a lifelong admirer of Shakespeare and often drew inspiration from the heightened emotional drama and tragic conflict inherent in the playwright’s narratives.

Executed as a lithograph, the work showcases Delacroix’s significant skill in graphic arts, a discipline that complemented his celebrated oil paintings. Printmaking provided the artist with an accessible medium to disseminate his dramatic interpretations to a wider audience in the 19th century. Produced during the height of the Romantic Period (1826 to 1850), the piece reflects the movement's characteristic focus on literary subjects, intense feeling, and psychological depth. Delacroix utilizes the stark contrast achieved through the black-and-white print medium to emphasize the terror, confusion, and claustrophobic violence of the confined space.

This artwork belongs to a large, influential portfolio of illustrations dedicated to Hamlet, a project that cemented the play’s importance within French culture during the period. Rather than simply providing an accompanying visual, Delacroix aimed to evoke the psychological weight and emotional turmoil gripping the characters. This approach elevates the print beyond mere illustration, positioning the artist as a visual interpreter of complex literary tragedy. This influential example of graphic art, often referenced when studying the Romantic masters’ use of prints, resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.