Opera Reminiscences, Plate 1st: Desdemona and Otello

William Heath ('Paul Pry')|Thomas McLean|William Shakespeare

July 15, 1829 · Hand-colored etching · Drawings and Prints

Desdemona stands at left, one arm outstretched towards Otello, who wears Turkish costume, has his arms raised and his mouth open as if in song. Rossini's opera was based on a French adaption of the story, rather than directly on Shakespera's play, and was first performed in London in 1822.

Artist

William Heath ('Paul Pry')|Thomas McLean|William Shakespeare

Date

July 15, 1829

Medium

Hand-colored etching

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1970