MacBeth was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see MacBeth?

MacBeth is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

MacBeth

Unknown , 1850

MacBeth is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a nineteenth‑century print titled *Macbeth*, issued by The London Printing and Publishing Company. Executed in the popular illustrated style of the period, it depicts a dramatic moment drawn from Shakespeare’s tragedy, rendered in monochrome ink on paper.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the image three witch‑like figures gather around a cauldron that bubbles with an unsettling mixture of eyes and bones. Their cloaks billow, and their gestures—pointing, grasping, and twisting—convey a sense of foreboding, echoing the play’s themes of prophecy, ambition and the supernatural.

Technique & Style

The print relies on line work and cross‑hatching to model the figures and the smoky atmosphere that surrounds them. The witches’ tangled hair merges with the dark background, creating a visual continuity that heightens the sense of mystery. The composition is balanced by the central cauldron, which draws the viewer’s eye inward.

History & Provenance

Published by a London‑based firm active in the mid‑1800s, the print reflects the Victorian era’s fascination with Shakespearean subjects and the occult. Copies of the image are held in several public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued as part of their 19th‑century illustration holdings.