This is my depiction of Othello, the titular protagonist of one of William Shakespeare’s famous plays. Othello is a general of North African “Moorish” heritage who fights on behalf of the Italian city-state of Venice, earning himself both accolades for his military success as well as the hand of a Venetian senator’s daughter whom he has won over with tales of his adventure. Unfortunately, their story ends on a tragic note, in large part due to the machinations of Othello’s resentful and vindictive ensign.
I was at first unsure how to dress Othello here. I felt that a strictly European or Islamic attire would be boring, so I chose to combine the two cultures instead, with a little touch of additional inspiration from indigenous African cultures.