Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Field-Marshal & Prime Minister
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About the work
- Location
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Country: France
City: Paris
Place: British Embassy
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About the artist
Alfred, Count d’Orsay, dandy and amateur artist, was born in Paris, the son of one of Napoleon’s generals. He met Lord and Lady Blessington in 1822 and was romantically interested in Lady Blessington. Perhaps to divert D’Orsay’s attention from his wife, Lord Blessington wrote a will leaving his Irish property to one of his daughters, should either marry Count D’Orsay. D’Orsay chose 15 year old Lady Harriet Anne Gardiner and the couple married in Naples in 1827. It was not a happy union. Following the death of Lord Blessington and the breakdown of the Count’s marriage, D’Orsay and Lady Blessington became a prominent couple in fashionable society. D’Orsay died in Paris in 1852, having fled there with Lady Blessington to escape his debts.
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Explore
- Places
- Subjects
- male portrait, man, 19th century costume, riband, badge, Order of the Golden Fleece, Order of the Garter, Duke, Prime Minister, field marshal, table (as Subject)
- Materials & Techniques
- canvas, oil, oil painting
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Details
- Title
- Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Field-Marshal & Prime Minister
- Date
- July 1845
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- height: 137.00 cm, width: 104.00 cm
- Acquisition
- Purchased from Lord Gerald Wellesley (later 7th Duke of Wellington) 1936
- Inscription
- sdbl
- Provenance
- Probably commissioned by the 1st Baron Cowley in c.1845 and by descent through the family at Draycot Park, Chippenham; purchased from the 4th Earl Cowley by Lord Gerald Wellesley (later 7th Duke of Wellington) at Draycot Park Sale, 1920; from whom purchased 1936
- GAC number
- 0/59