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Artwork

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland

Nicolai Abildgaard , 1788

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland, by Nicolai Abildgaard, oil, 1788
Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland, by Nicolai Abildgaard, oil, 1788

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nicolai Abildgaard. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Amleth, the legendary Danish prince known in later tradition as Hamlet, is shown delivering a letter he has written himself.

The painting depicts a specific narrative moment involving the figures of Amleth and Hermuthruda. Amleth, the legendary Danish prince known in later tradition as Hamlet, is shown delivering a letter he has written himself. The recipient of this correspondence is Hermuthruda, identified in the work's iconography as the Queen of Scotland.

This scene captures a pivotal act of communication within the Amleth legend, focusing on the prince's agency in composing and transmitting his message to the Scottish queen.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1776, this work by Nicolai Abildgaard is an oil painting applied to a canvas support. The piece presents a substantial physical presence, measuring 255 cm in height and 257 cm in width. As a large-scale history painting, the composition depicts the figures of Amleth and Hermuthruda.

The application of oil paint on canvas aligns with standard artistic practices of the late eighteenth century for monumental narrative subjects.

History & Provenance

Nicolai Abildgaard created the oil painting Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland in 1776. Executed on canvas, the work depicts the figures of Amleth and Hermuthruda. The painting currently resides in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is held as part of the institution's holdings.

Overview

Nicolai Abildgaard's 1788 oil painting, Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland, is a work that blends neoclassical training with rococo elements. It is held in the Statens Museum for Kunst collection.

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Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolai Abildgaard

Artist

Nicolai Abildgaard

Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (11 September 1743 – 4 June 1809) was a Danish neoclassical and royal history painter, sculptor, architect, and professor of painting, mythology, and anatomy at the New Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen…

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland?

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland was painted by Nicolai Abildgaard in 1788.

Where can I see Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland?

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland?

Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland?

Museum-quality prints of Hamlet Delivering a Letter Written by Himself to the Queen of Scotland are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.