Othello and Desdemona in Venice

In 1844 the collector Eugène Piot asked the young Chassériau for a set of illustrations to Shakespeare's Othello. He etched 15 plates, and very few sets were printed, probably no more than 25. The second plate takes its moment from Act 1. Accused of bewitching Desdemona, Othello explains to the Duke of Venice how he really won her. He was a guest in her father's house, he told the story of his life, his battles and his captivity, and she listened and thanked him. Shakespeare never puts that scene on stage. It exists only in Othello's speech.

In 1850 Chassériau came back to it on this small panel, about 25 by 20 centimetres, repeating the etching with some changes. Othello, in a turban and a red robe, holds Desdemona's hand on a balcony in Venice.