Hamlet als Akt, mit Draperie, aus _Hamlet und Horatio auf dem Kirchhof_ c. 1868

This preparatory drawing by Victor Müller, created around 1868, depicts a study for the figure of Hamlet in his famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. The work is a detailed study of the figure's anatomy and posture, and is executed in a light, precise style. Müller's "Hamlet als Akt" is a preparatory drawing for his painting "Hamlet und Horatio auf dem Kirchhof," currently in the Städel Museum. This piece offers a glimpse into the creative process of the artist and demonstrates the importance of preliminary studies in the development of finished artworks.