Watercolour by Solomon Alexander Hart entitled 'Othello and Iago' from Shakespeare's 'Othello', Act III, Scene 3. Great Britain, 1857.

Watercolour depicting the character of Othello and Iago from Shakespeare's 'Othello', Act III, Scene 3. Signed and dated.

William Smith Bequest

Bequeathed by William Smith, 1876

This watercolour of 'Othello & Iago' (1857) was exhibited at the 'International Exhibition', 1862, London, in the South East Gallery, catalogue number 1412. The exhibition was held across the road from the V&A at the site of the present Natural History and Science museums. The oil version of this subject, painted in 1855, was also exhibited at the 1862 International Exhibition in the Principal Gallery, cat.no.789. There is a letter held at the Royal Academy, London (Ref:MIS/HA/4 dated 31/3/1862) from the artist, Solomon Alexander Hart to William Smith, to whom Hart gave this watercolour version, expressing his gratification that the commissioners of the International Exhibition wished to display it, adding 'it is the best watercolour I've ever done'. This information was kindly provided by the current owner of an oil study for the oil painting. This oil study is signed and dated 1855.

In 1876 William Smith gave the watercolour to the South Kensington Museum, later the V&A.

3038-1876