OTHELLO
Pietro Calvi (Italian, 1833-1884)
Height: 34" (86 cm)
Signed Calvi Milano
White marble and bronze with rich dark brown patination
Pietro Calvi was born in Milan in 1833 and studied at the Milan Academy. He later went on to study under the renowned sculptor Giovanni Seleroni. Calvi relished working in bronze and marble, often combining the two materials to create the most striking and effective results. Many of his works were exhibited throughout Europe and America, most notably at London's Royal Academy between 1872 and 1883 (the year prior to the sculptor's death). Works exhibited at the Royal Academy included Selika and Othello in 1872, Lucifer in 1879 and Ariadne the following year (both marble statuettes), Uncle Tom, also exhibited in 1880.
Othello was a well-respected Moor and a high ranking official in the Venetian forces. He had recently married the beautiful Desdemona, and had just been posted to Cyprus to defend the Venetian army. Once in Cypress Othello promotes one of his officers, Cassio, to the fury of Iago, another officer who was also hoping for promotion. Iago decides to take his revenge on Othello by arousing his jealousy - he orchestrates a grand scheme insinuating, falsely, that Othello's beloved Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio.
The culmination of the plan involves Cassio unwittingly coming into possession of Desdemona's handkerchief - a love token from Othello. The Moor's jealousy had already been aroused thanks to Iago's insinuations, but when he sees Cassio with the handkerchief he assumes his wife is definitely having an affair. In a wild rage he strangles Desdemona and orders Cassio to be killed - only to discover later, from Iago's wife, that it had all been a carefully prepared deception. Othello, traumatised by his mistake, stabs himself and dies next to the body of his beloved wife. Calvi depicts the moment Othello realises his mistake and stares at the handkerchief, a single tear descending his cheek.
Ira Aldridge (1805-67) was the first black actor to play Othello, making his debut in a small London theatre in 1826, and was therefore the perfect inspiration for Calvi's masterpiece.
Literature
Corna, P. A. Dizionario della Storia dell’Arte in Italia, Piacenza, 1930, vol. 1, p 167
Forrest, M. Art Bronzes, Schiffer Publications Ltd, Pennsylvania, 1988, Othello illustrated p 437, 463
Panzetta, A. Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento, Archivi dell’Ottocento, Allemandi & Co, Torino, 1989, p 44