Hamlet and Laertes in the Grave of Ophelia (Act V, Scene I)
1843
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1843
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a chaotic scene underground. A group of men in old-fashioned clothes are crowded around a grave, some reaching in while others stand back with shocked or angry faces. One woman lies on the ground, her arms stretched out, and a child clings to her. The lighting is dim, with shadows making the scene feel tense and dramatic. The artist used quick, rough lines to show movement and emotion, not smooth details. This style fits a time when artists focused on big feelings over perfect realism. Next, check out lithography to see how this print was made.
