The artwork titled “Othello Relating His Battles,” created by Alexandre Cabanel in 1857, is an oil painting belonging to the Academicism art movement. It measures 115.6 x 130.8 cm and is classified under the genre of literary painting. This distinguished piece is part of the collection at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, KY, US.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and emotive scene in which Othello, a central character from William Shakespeare’s play “Othello,” recounts his past battles and adventures. Othello, adorned in opulent and richly textured robes, stands with a commanding presence on a raised platform, gesturing expressively as he narrates. To his right, a figure, presumed to be Desdemona, is seated, intently listening with an expression of admiration and perhaps a touch of melancholy. The background is a serene and grand architectural setting that suggests an atmosphere of nobility and historical grandeur. The use of light and shadow highlights the emotional intensity of the scene, with Othello bathed in warm hues, contrasting against the cooler tones of the surrounding architecture and the distant, softly lit sky.
