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G1277
Paintings: G1277
Title
Arthur Bourchier as Iago
Subject
Artist
Bright, Beatrice
Date
c.1920
Dimensions
height: 124.5cm
width: 100cm
width: 100cm
Other materials
oil on canvas
Inscription/signature
Lower left corner signed : "B. Bright"
Provenance
painting given as a gift from the Haymarket Theatre to the Garrick Club in June 2026. Item had been in the store at the Haymarket Theatre for some time. It is thought that Bourchier commissioned this painting while performing at the New Theatre (now the Noel Coward Theatre) in 1919/1920. Bourchier subsequently became the lessee of the Strand Theatre (now the Ivor Novello) and the painting may have hung there. At one time Louis I. Michaels owned both the Haymarket and the Strand and when the Strand was sold is when the archivist at the Haymarket believes the picture arrived at the Haymarket.
This painting depicts the actor Arthur Bourchier in the role of Iago from Shakespeare's Othello. He is shown half length, standing turned to left, gaze directed out towards the viewer. In his right hand he holds a handkerchief, embroidered with strawberries, his left is on his hip.
The painting depicts the moment that decietful Iago deicdes to use the handkerchief to frame Desdemona and convince Othello of her infidelity. The handkerchief was Othello's first gift to Desdemona, and he tells Iago that it had belonged to his mother, who was given it by his father.
Arthur Bourchier wears a red doublet, a white collar and a black Chaperon hat, with a jewelled hat-badge at the front. He wears a long gold chain, with a jewelled pendant and jewelled rings on his fingers.
Arthur Bourchier performed Iago in 1920 as part of a matinee production of plays produced by Matheson Lang, at the New Theatre. Lang played Othello.
The painting depicts the moment that decietful Iago deicdes to use the handkerchief to frame Desdemona and convince Othello of her infidelity. The handkerchief was Othello's first gift to Desdemona, and he tells Iago that it had belonged to his mother, who was given it by his father.
Arthur Bourchier wears a red doublet, a white collar and a black Chaperon hat, with a jewelled hat-badge at the front. He wears a long gold chain, with a jewelled pendant and jewelled rings on his fingers.
Arthur Bourchier performed Iago in 1920 as part of a matinee production of plays produced by Matheson Lang, at the New Theatre. Lang played Othello.
