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John Henderson, in the Character of Iago (Shakespeare's Othello)

1786
Not on view
Published shortly after Henderson's death, this engraving shows the actor as the villainous Iago in "Othello," a role he played to great acclaim at the Covent Garden Theatre between 1780 and 1785. Bartolozzi based his 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 rendering of Henderson as Macbeth).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 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: Edward Baldwyn (British, active 1786–1817)
  • 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; third state of three
  • Dimensions: sheet: 9 1/8 x 5 3/4 in. (23.2 x 14.6 cm) (clipped impression)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.756–1652
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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