This year the Cheltenham Paint Festival teamed up with the Literature Festival to celebrate their 70th anniversary, making it the world’s oldest literature festival. I decided to paint a portrait of Shakespear’s Hamlet, when the character recites his famous ‘to be or not to be’ monologue, wondering about his own existence and death. Hamlet is seen holding the skull and looking at it with sadness, while flowers are growing around it. Thanks to the organisers of the festival and Gustavo my model.

“Hamlet” – Zabou – 4x5m – Cheltenham, UK – 2019

Photo credit: Zabou