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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, 1829

Sir Thomas Lawrence

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, 1829

The Duke of Wellington (1769–1852) was hailed as the man who achieved peace in Europe after he led the campaign that defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. It ended a period of French supremacy on the continent, including the occupation of the Netherlands.

This portrait, painted when he was prime minister, depicts Wellesley as a statesman. Unfortunately, painter Thomas Lawrence died and the portrait was left unfinished, increasing the emphasis on Wellesley’s imperious gaze.

National Portrait Gallery, London Purchased with support from the Art Fund (with a contribution from The Wolfson Foundation), the G and K Boyes Charitable Trust, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, the Portrait Fund, and many contributions from the public following an appeal by the National Portrait Gallery, 2017
© National Portrait Gallery, London

Related information

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, 1804
Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, 1804
Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, 1804
Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick, 1804

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Magazine article by Dr Anne Sanders, 2010

Anne Sanders writes about the exhibitions Victoria & Albert: Art & Love on display at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the retrospective of Sir Thomas Lawrence at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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