John Henderson, in the Character of Iago (Shakespeare's "Othello")
Published shortly after Henderson's death, this engraving shows the actor in a signature role, the villainous Iago in "Othello," which he played to great acclaim at the Covent Garden Theatre between 1780 and 1785. Bartolozzi based the subject's expressive features on a painting by the American painter Gilbert Stuart, who lived in London between 1775 and 1793. Known as "The Bath Roscius," Henderson worked in the latter city until 1778, then moved to London after David Garrick's death (see 17.3.981 for George Romney's conception of Henderson as Macbeth).
Artwork Details
- Title: John Henderson, in the Character of Iago (Shakespeare's "Othello")
- Engraver: Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, Florence 1728–1815 Lisbon)
- Artist: After Gilbert Stuart (American, North Kingston, Rhode Island 1755–1828 Boston, Massachusetts)
- Publisher: John Bell (British, 1745–1831 London)
- Sitter: John Henderson (British, baptised 1747–1785)
- Subject: William Shakespeare (British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon)
- Date: 1786
- Medium: Stipple engraving and etching; second state of three
- Dimensions: Sheet: 8 3/4 × 6 1/2 in. (22.3 × 16.5 cm) (clipped impression)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.756-2156
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Francesco Bartolozzi
Hans Holbein the Younger
ca. 1794–1802
Francesco Bartolozzi
Hans Holbein the Younger
ca. 1794–1802
Francesco Bartolozzi
n.d.
Multiple artists/makers
1765–1800
Francesco Bartolozzi
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
1750–1815
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