Lady Macbeth Seizing the Daggers 1812

This is Henry Fuseli's dramatic interpretation of a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth, rendered with oil on canvas. The composition is immediately striking: two figures are caught in a tense exchange within a claustrophobic, dark space. Lady Macbeth is depicted with an almost spectral quality, her flowing garments and gestures suggesting movement, while Macbeth cowers, trapped by the rigid bars of the picture frame. The stark contrast in light and shadow, a technique known as chiaroscuro, heightens the psychological drama. Lady Macbeth’s illuminated figure contrasts against the inky backdrop, drawing our eyes to her gesture. This creates a visual metaphor for the internal turmoil of the characters, destabilizing established notions of moral order and gender roles. Ultimately, Fuseli's work isn't just an illustration of a play, but a powerful commentary on the destabilizing effects of ambition and guilt, captured through the potent language of form and composition.