Scene from Othello c. 1839

Editor: This is Eugène Delacroix's sketch, "Scene from Othello," at the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, but the quick strokes convey such drama. What do you make of Delacroix's interpretation here? Curator: Well, isn’t it interesting how Delacroix captures the essence of Shakespeare? It's not just illustration. It's a distillation of raw emotion, the seed of a play taking root on paper. Do you see how he uses light and shadow, almost haphazardly, to build tension? Editor: Yes, I see that! It’s as if the uncertainty in the lines mirrors the play’s unfolding tragedy. I see that. Curator: Exactly! It's like he's saying, "This is how it felt to *feel* Othello," and that’s powerful. Makes you wonder what he was thinking and feeling, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, it gives me a whole new lens to view Delacroix and Shakespeare through.