Study for the reclining figure of Hamlet, from The Play Scene, Hamlet, act 3, scene 2 1993

Edwin Austin Abbey made this drawing of Hamlet with what looks like charcoal, a tool that’s all about the push and pull of value. It's about finding form in the dark. I love how Abbey uses line, not to outline, but to suggest weight and shadow. Look at Hamlet's legs, crossed and heavy. There’s a real sense of the body, of flesh and bone beneath the cloth. The surface of the paper peeks through, creating this hazy, dreamlike feel, like a memory half-forgotten. The hand obscuring his face is a masterstroke, isn't it? It speaks to Hamlet’s internal struggle, that sense of being lost in thought. It's reminiscent of Whistler's tonal studies, where mood and atmosphere take precedence over detail. And like Shakespeare himself, Abbey understands that art is about asking questions, not giving answers. It’s about embracing the mess and the mystery.