Arthur Wellesley, 1769-1852, 1st Duke of Wellington

One of a number of variants of the Salter sketch in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 3766) painted in 1839. Other versions are at Stratfield Saye House and at Thonock Hall, Lincolnshire, engraved by W. Greatbach.

The Duke is shown full length and wears field marshal’s undress uniform, arms folded, his plumed cocked hat and sword at his left side. He wears the Golden Fleece, the Waterloo medal, and the star of the KB.

William Salter studied under James Northcote in London, 1822-27, and travelled in Italy, where he established a reputation in Florence and became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts. He returned to London in 1833. He painted the Duke of Wellington on a number of occasions, and his ‘The Waterloo Banquet at Apsley House’, 1839 (Wellington Museum, Apsley House) was popular as an engraving.

Object Details

ID: BHC3085
Collection: Fine art
Type: Painting
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Salter, William
Date made: circa 1839
People: Wellesley, Arthur
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Frame: 1181 mm x 977 mm x 110 mm;Painting: 915 mm x 710 mm