Ira Aldridge as Othello in 'Othello' by William Shakespeare
Painting
ca. 1848 (painted)
ca. 1848 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This painting depicts Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), born Frederick William Aldridge in New York, in his most famous role as Othello.
Aldridge made his first London appearance as Othello at the Royalty Theatre in London's East End on 11 May 1825 when he was 17 years old, billed as 'Mr. Keene, a Gentleman of Colour, from the New York Theatre'. He played the part many times on tour in Britain before playing it again in London for two performances at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in 1833 when the tragedian Edmund Kean was too ill to perform. Some reviewers protested about a black actor being permitted to appear at Covent Garden, and the tone of their reviews the next day was somewhat sullen. Unable to criticise a good performance outright, The Morning Post grudgingly conceded: 'it was doubtless sufficiently good to be considered very curious'. This was balanced by the many other publications which declared Aldridge 'a singularly gifted actor' (Standard), who 'evinced a great deal of feeling and nature in his performance' (Spectator), with 'beauties throughout his performance' (Globe).
Aldridge made his first London appearance as Othello at the Royalty Theatre in London's East End on 11 May 1825 when he was 17 years old, billed as 'Mr. Keene, a Gentleman of Colour, from the New York Theatre'. He played the part many times on tour in Britain before playing it again in London for two performances at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in 1833 when the tragedian Edmund Kean was too ill to perform. Some reviewers protested about a black actor being permitted to appear at Covent Garden, and the tone of their reviews the next day was somewhat sullen. Unable to criticise a good performance outright, The Morning Post grudgingly conceded: 'it was doubtless sufficiently good to be considered very curious'. This was balanced by the many other publications which declared Aldridge 'a singularly gifted actor' (Standard), who 'evinced a great deal of feeling and nature in his performance' (Spectator), with 'beauties throughout his performance' (Globe).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Ira Aldridge as Othello in 'Othello' by William Shakespeare (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Portrait entitled Ira Aldridge as Othello in 'Othello' by William Shakespeare, unknown artist, ca. 1848 |
| Physical description | Ira Aldridge onstage as Othello, full length. He wears a black, light blue and gold costume and a gilt headdress and holds a scimitar in his right hand. His left hand is raised, pointing. Behind him, right, is an indistinct seated figure, probably the Duke of Venice. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Professor Herbert Marshall |
| Object history | Given to the V&A by Professor Herbert Marshall, the author, with Mildred Stock, of the biography of Ira Aldridge, published by Rockcliff in 1958. Professor Marshall was given the painting by Aldridge's daughter, Amanda. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | Othello |
| Summary | This painting depicts Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), born Frederick William Aldridge in New York, in his most famous role as Othello. Aldridge made his first London appearance as Othello at the Royalty Theatre in London's East End on 11 May 1825 when he was 17 years old, billed as 'Mr. Keene, a Gentleman of Colour, from the New York Theatre'. He played the part many times on tour in Britain before playing it again in London for two performances at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in 1833 when the tragedian Edmund Kean was too ill to perform. Some reviewers protested about a black actor being permitted to appear at Covent Garden, and the tone of their reviews the next day was somewhat sullen. Unable to criticise a good performance outright, The Morning Post grudgingly conceded: 'it was doubtless sufficiently good to be considered very curious'. This was balanced by the many other publications which declared Aldridge 'a singularly gifted actor' (Standard), who 'evinced a great deal of feeling and nature in his performance' (Spectator), with 'beauties throughout his performance' (Globe). |
| Bibliographic reference | Ashton, Geoffrey. Catalogue of Paintings at the Theatre Museum, London. ed. James Fowler, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 224p. ill. ISBN 1851771026 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1129-1986 |
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| Record created | October 31, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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