Lady Macbeth, Macbeth and the Murder of Duncan (Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act II, Scene II) 1825 - 1840

This 19th-century engraving by Charles Rolls depicts a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is shown in the foreground, having just committed the murder of King Duncan, with the figure of Macbeth in the background, emphasizing her role as the instigator. This print, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is an excellent example of how artists have utilized Shakespeare's works as inspiration for visual art. The print, made from a sheet measuring 3 7/16 × 2 9/16 inches, reflects the popularity of Shakespeare and the theatrical arts in the Victorian era, and serves as a reminder of the enduring power of the Bard's works.