Hamlet and Laertes at the Tomb of Ophelia

Art Historical Context

In the gripping scene *Hamlet and Laertes the Tomb of Ophelia (ca. 1843), Eugène Delacroix a pivotal moment from William Shakespeare's tragedy *Hamlet*. This graphite drawing on tracing paper depicts the two rivals clashing dramatically at Ophelia's grave in Act V, embodying the raw grief, rage, and rivalry that define the play's climax. Delacroix, a of French Romanticism, was deeply inspired by Shakespeare, often turning to literary sources for his emotive works that prioritized passion over classical restraint. Rendered on delicate tracing paper—a medium favored for its translucency and suitability for preparatory sketches—the 9 3/16 x 12 1/16-inch sheet showcases Delacroix's fluid graphite lines. These allow for dynamic layering and corrections, revealing his process of building tension through expressive gestures and shadowed forms. Laid down for preservation, it highlights the intimacy of his studio practice amid the Romantic era's fascination with dramatic history and literature. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, gifted from the Karen B. Cohen Collection in honor of Philippe de Montebello (2013), this work underscores Delacroix's enduring influence. It invites visitors to ponder Shakespeare's timeless themes of loss and vengeance through the lens of 19th-century Romantic intensity, bridging theater and visual art in a single, poignant frame.

About the Artist

Eugène Delacroix|William Shakespeare · 1798–1863

Eugène Delacroix (1798–1863) stands as the defining figure of French Romanticism and a pivotal bridge to modernism. Born in Charenton-Saint-Maurice near Paris, he came from distinguished lineage—his mother descended from the prestigious Oeben-Riesener furniture dynasty, while persistent speculation suggested the statesman Talleyrand may have been his biological father, a theory supported by physic...