The Queen Tries to Console Hamlet (Act I, Scene II)

The Queen Tries to Console Hamlet (Act I, Scene II) is a pivotal lithograph created by the master of French Romanticism, Eugène Delacroix, in 1834. Executed utilizing the demanding process of lithography, the work captures a critical moment from Shakespeare’s tragedy, focusing intensely on the strained emotional relationship between Hamlet and his mother, Queen Gertrude. Delacroix was profoundly inspired by the psychological drama inherent in Shakespearean literature, dedicating considerable artistic effort to translating these complex narratives into visual art, often producing large portfolios of prints designed for broader public dissemination. This specific piece, classified as part of a larger artistic portfolio, exemplifies the dramatic potential of monochrome printing methods during the mid-19th century.

Created during the dynamic period of 1826 to 1850, this print is characteristic of the heightened emotional energy that defined French art following the decline of Neoclassicism. Delacroix utilized the dense blacks and high contrasts achievable through the lithographic stone to emphasize the emotional turmoil inherent in the scene. The composition highlights the deep sorrow and barely contained anger expressed by Hamlet in contrast to the uneasy, maternal concern of the Queen, immersing the viewer directly into the tense dialogue of Act I, Scene II. Delacroix’s extensive body of graphic work demonstrates his belief that Shakespeare served not merely as literary source material, but as a robust vehicle for exploring profound human passions.

As an important example of 19th-century French prints, the lithograph confirms Delacroix's status not only as a monumental painter but as a versatile graphic artist whose approach heavily influenced subsequent generations of printmakers. The preservation and legacy of such Romantic masterworks means that today, high-quality images of this piece are often made available through public domain initiatives by major cultural institutions. This powerful representation of The Queen Tries to Console Hamlet (Act I, Scene II) is preserved within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing crucial insight into the artist’s lifelong fascination with tragedy and literary sources.