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Mkey: 197174 Sitter/Title: Ellen Terry as Desdemona in 'Othello' Qualifier: by Artist(s): Southwell Brothers Date made: 1863 Medium: albumen carte-de-visite Credit line: © National Portrait Gallery, London Authority data import (Capture): Actress, Female, Actors, actresses People Authority (Sitters): Dame Ellen Alice Terry Measurements: 3 1/2 in. x 2 1/4 in. (88 mm x 56 mm) image size Caption: Ellen Terry is shown in costume and against a backdrop for her role in 'Othello' at the Princess's Theatre, where she also made her first stage appearance aged nine. <i>The Times</i> described her performance as Desdemona as 'youthfully innocent, graceful, natural, and so intense in feeling', qualities that marked some of her most effective roles. Terry returned as Desdemona in 1881 at the Lyceum Theatre opposite {Sir Henry Irving|mp2373} under whose management she played many leading roles. Terry's career spanned sixty-nine years and she is regarded as the greatest English actress of the period.