Lot Essay
Philip Richard Morris was a biblical and historical genre painter. He was the son of an engineer and iron founder and was apprenticed to an engineer. At first he painted during his spare time as his employer refused, even at the intercession of the artist William Holman-Hunt who had become his friend, to cancel his indentures. Hunt encouraged him to study painting and to draw on the resources of the museums in London, specifically the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum.
After his apprenticeship, Morris began to study full time at the Royal Academy schools in 1855. At the end of his first year he won a silver medal. In 1856 he won two more medals. He exhibited his first two paintings at the Royal Academy in 1858 and one of them, The Good Samaritan, was awarded a gold medal. The other painting of that year, Peaceful Days, was purchased by the artist Thomas Creswick, R.A.
This early acclaim earned Morris a Travelling Studentship and he went to France and Rome to continue his studies. He resumed exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1860 upon his return to London. He continued to exhibit there until 1901, a year before his death. He also showed at the British Institution, Suffolk Street and the Grosvenor Gallery. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1877. Three of his paintings - The Sailor's Wedding (RA, 1876), The Mowers (RA, 1875) and Reaper and the Flowers (1878) were included at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878. In his later years he turned almost entirely to portrait painting.
The present scene is from Othello, Act 1, scene iii, depicting Othello and Desdemona. In the Senate chamber, after Brabantio has charged Othello with using drugs and magic on Desdemona, the First Senator has a crucial question for Othello: 'Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poison this young maid's affections? Or came it by request and such fair question As soul to soul affordeth?" (1.3.111-114). There are two possibile interpretations presented here. The first is that Othello poisoned Desdemona's heart by trickery. The second possibility is that Othello and Desdemona have a true love, and First Senator's question defines true love. Love is obtained by asking nicely ('request') for everything from a moment alone to a hand in marriage. And love is mutual; it grows by conversation ('fair question') which is honest and respectful, 'as soul to soul affordeth'. In response to this question, Othello delivers a long speech which makes it clear that their relationship is respectful and mutual. He ends by saying, 'She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd, And I loved her that she did pity them' (1.3.167-168).
After his apprenticeship, Morris began to study full time at the Royal Academy schools in 1855. At the end of his first year he won a silver medal. In 1856 he won two more medals. He exhibited his first two paintings at the Royal Academy in 1858 and one of them, The Good Samaritan, was awarded a gold medal. The other painting of that year, Peaceful Days, was purchased by the artist Thomas Creswick, R.A.
This early acclaim earned Morris a Travelling Studentship and he went to France and Rome to continue his studies. He resumed exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1860 upon his return to London. He continued to exhibit there until 1901, a year before his death. He also showed at the British Institution, Suffolk Street and the Grosvenor Gallery. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1877. Three of his paintings - The Sailor's Wedding (RA, 1876), The Mowers (RA, 1875) and Reaper and the Flowers (1878) were included at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878. In his later years he turned almost entirely to portrait painting.
The present scene is from Othello, Act 1, scene iii, depicting Othello and Desdemona. In the Senate chamber, after Brabantio has charged Othello with using drugs and magic on Desdemona, the First Senator has a crucial question for Othello: 'Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poison this young maid's affections? Or came it by request and such fair question As soul to soul affordeth?" (1.3.111-114). There are two possibile interpretations presented here. The first is that Othello poisoned Desdemona's heart by trickery. The second possibility is that Othello and Desdemona have a true love, and First Senator's question defines true love. Love is obtained by asking nicely ('request') for everything from a moment alone to a hand in marriage. And love is mutual; it grows by conversation ('fair question') which is honest and respectful, 'as soul to soul affordeth'. In response to this question, Othello delivers a long speech which makes it clear that their relationship is respectful and mutual. He ends by saying, 'She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd, And I loved her that she did pity them' (1.3.167-168).