Otello was painted by The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News in 1889.

Where can I see Otello?

Otello is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Otello?

Otello is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Otello

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News , 1889

Otello is a print by the Impressionist artist The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print shows a scene from the opera Otello. It comes from a 1889 production at the Lyceum Theatre. The singer Francesco Tamagno starred in the title role.

Tamagno was a top Italian opera star. His Otello in 1887 in Milan was a huge hit. The show later toured Europe and America.

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Overview

The print depicts a moment from the 1889 staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Otello at London’s Lyceum Theatre. It captures the dramatic intensity of the production, featuring the lead singer in the title role.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates a scene from Verdi’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, focusing on the central character’s emotional turmoil. The visual emphasizes the opera’s themes of jealousy, betrayal, and honor.

Technique & Style

Executed as a black‑and‑white print, the work relies on line and shading to convey depth and movement. The composition frames the stage set and costumes, highlighting the theatrical lighting and the performer’s expressive posture.

History & Provenance

The print records the 1889 Lyceum production in which Francesco Tamagno, the renowned Italian tenor, performed Otello. Tamagno’s earlier 1887 debut of the role in Milan had been a critical triumph, prompting tours across Europe and the United States.

Context

Verdi’s Otello premiered in 1887, shortly after the composer’s death, and quickly entered the standard operatic repertoire. The Lyceum staging reflected the late‑19th‑century appetite for grand opera in Britain, bringing an Italian star to an English audience.