A Council Chamber (The Night Brawl with Cassio and Rodrigo/disturbing of Othello and Desdemona from William Shakespeare's 'Othello', Act II, sc. iii)
John Opie, RA (St Agnes 1761 – London 1807)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1780 - 1807
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
(27 ½ x 35 ½ in) 700 x 900 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
NT 485088
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, A Council Chamber (The Night Brawl with Cassio and Rodrigo/disturbing of Othello and Desdemona from William Shakespeare's 'Othello', Act II, sc. iii) by John Opie, RA (St Agnes 1761 – London 1807). It depicts the moment when Desdemona enters, attended. Previously called The Night Brawl with Cassio and Rodrigo disturbing of Othello and Desdemona - Othello is in the centre, in red cloak and with a drawn sword. Iago, Montano, Cassio and Roderigo can be seen to the left. At right, Desdemona and a woman, a torch-bearer and a soldier.
Provenance
Bought 'in exchange from Ogle' (European Museum, lot 560, March 1819) 'The Disgrace of Cassio. Iago leading off Montano wounded, Desdemona and attendants enter: Othello exclaims "Cassio, I love thee; but never more be officer of mine". This may be considered a chef d'oeuvre of this great Master, he very rarely painted on so small a scale, and perhaps never finished any other picture with so much care and attention'. In the collection of the 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837) by 1835.By descent to the current Lord Egremont. On loan from the Egremont Private Collection
Credit line
Petworth House, The Egremont Collection
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: In bold white paint: 356; in white chalk on stretcher: 356
Makers and roles
John Opie, RA (St Agnes 1761 – London 1807), artist
References
Earland 1911 Ada Earland, John Opie and his Circle, 1911, p.337