Arthur Wellesley (1769–1852), 1st Duke of Wellington
Wellington led the British forces to victory over Napoleon in the battle of Waterloo. Although this idealized portrait is carved in the classical mode (all'antica), with bared neck and blank eyes, the proud display of the military hero's dramatic profile sounds a clearly romantic note as well. This bust, the first marble example, was carved for the Earl of Liverpool. Chantrey went on to produce versions for the duke himself, the king, and many others.
Credit: Wrightsman Fund, 1994
1823
Marble; column of red scagliola with marble foot
78.7 x 55.9 in
1994.295a, b
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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