Foster 241

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

Field Marshall and Prime Minister

Made 1855

Full-length figure in undress uniform, with long military cloak slightly thrown back. The arms are folded upon the breast, the right hand holding a field-marshal’s baton, the left resting on his sash. Behind is the breech of a cannon.

Marble; life size

Inscribed: ‘Wellington’

Commissioned by the East India Company, 1853

The Duke died on 14 September 1852. On October 27 a specially convened meeting of the General Court of Proprietors, ‘with only one dissentient voice’, adopted the following resolution: ‘That this Court concurs in the Unanimous Resolution of the Court of Directors ‘that as a testimonial of the gratitude with which the East India Company must ever remember that the glorious career of the Duke of Wellington commenced in India and that the consolidation of the British Power there was greatly promoted by his brilliant achievements, a Marble Statue of that Illustrious Commander be placed in the General Court Room’. On 3 November the consent of the India Board was announced, and the Court authorised the necessary arrangements. On 16 November 1853, it was stated that Matthew Noble had been selected as the sculptor, his remuneration being limited to £1,200; and two years later (5 September, 1855) the completion of the statue was reported, and the final payment made.

The Crystal Palace at one time had a plaster copy of this statue.