User:Lord Cornwallis/Portrait of the Marquess Wellesley
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| Portrait of the Marquess Wellesley | |
|---|---|
_-_Richard_Colley_Wellesley,_Marquess_Wellesley_(1760-1842)_-_RCIN_400643_-_Royal_Collection.jpg) | |
| Artist | Thomas Lawrence |
| Year | 1812-1813 |
| Type | Oil on canvas |
| Location | Royal Collection, Windsor Castle |
The Marquess of Wellesley is a portrait painting by the English artist Thomas Lawrence of the Irish statesman Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley. Wellesley was a senior politician in Britain where he served as Foreign Secretary from 1809 to 1812 and was regarded as a potential future Prime Minister. Lawrence was the leading portraitist of the Regency era, depicting prominent figures from Britain and it's European Allies during the Napoleonic Wars. It is also known as the Portrait of Lord Wellesley.
Subject[edit]
A member of the Irish Aristocracy, Wellesley had made his name during his spell as Governor-General of India. He had promoted the career of his younger brother Arthur, the future Duke of Wellington. By the time Lawrence painted him he was rapidly being eclipsed in fame by his younger brother who led British and Allied troops to victory in the Peninsular War and the later Battle of Waterloo.
Wellesley resigned from the government in early 1812 in a failed attempt to replace Spencer Perceval. His successor at the Foreign Office was Lord Castlereagh who oversaw British policy during the defeat of Napoleon. Wellesley remained on the political sidelines for several years, eventually had his career revived by being made Viceroy in his native Ireland in 1821.
Painting[edit]
The painting was commissioned by the sitter. He is shown dressed in *""" and sitting on a red upholstered armchair. He is wearing the prestigious Order of the Garter. As with all his major portraits, Laurence executed the work in oil on canvas. The painting was later presented by Wellesley to the young Queen Victoria. In 1859 it was hanging at Windsor Castle. It remains part of the Royal Collection.[1]
See also[edit]
- Portrait of Lord Castlereagh, a painting by Lawrence of Wellesley's successor as Foreign Secretary