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A work made of etching and stipple on ivory wove paper.

Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus and the Ghost

1796

Robert Thew (English, 1758-1802) after Henry Fuseli (Swiss, active in England, 1741-1825) published by John Boydell (English, 1719-1804) authored by William Shakespeare (English, 1564-1616)

England

Henry Fuseli made a series of paintings depicting scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, which were reproduced as prints, including this engraving by Robert Thew. This image represents the fourth scene from the first act of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears during the night and beckons him to a place where they can speak privately. Meanwhile, Horatio and Marcellus try to dissuade Hamlet from following for fear of his safety.

Etching and stipple on ivory wove paper

Prints and Drawings