The Murder of Polonius

The Murder of Polonius by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, serves as a powerful example of the artist’s profound and enduring fascination with the dramatic works of William Shakespeare. Executed between 1835 and 1843, this masterful print captures the chaotic and tragic climax of Hamlet, immediately following the prince’s mistaken slaying of Polonius, who was concealed behind the queen’s curtain. The classification of this piece is a print, specifically a lithograph rendered in rich black ink. The technical description notes that the image was printed on delicate off-white China paper, which was then meticulously laid down onto a supportive backing of white wove paper, a process often used to enhance the clarity and permanence of 19th-century prints.

Delacroix, a foremost exponent of French Romanticism, utilized the lithographic medium’s inherent qualities—its capacity for dramatic shadow and gestural freedom—to maximize the scene’s emotional impact. Unlike the detailed precision favored by Neoclassical contemporaries, Delacroix employed energetic lines and dense areas of chiaroscuro to emphasize psychological intensity and sudden violence. This focus on individual passion and narrative climax cemented Delacroix's influence on subsequent generations of artists in France. The work resides within the extensive holdings of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers a critical insight into the printmaking contributions of one of the 19th century’s great masters. As a key piece from this period, high-quality images of this work are frequently made available through museum and public domain art initiatives.