Wellington: Triumphs, Politics and Passions - Tapa blanda

Wellington: Triumphs, Politics and Passions considers the attempts of the art world to celebrate the Duke of Wellington's military successes. Commemorative objects on display will range from royal commissions by Europe's foremost artists and manufacturers to more modest souvenirs aimed at the domestic market. Wellington's eventful and often difficult political career will be illustrated by examples of the many satirical prints published in the 1820s and 1830s and the exhibition will also examine the reappraisal of Wellington's life that took place at his death and on the occasion of his lavish state funeral. --Wall Street Journal

a peach of a show - surprisingly, the first exhibition devoted to the life of the Iron Duke(1769-1852) telling Wellington's tumultuous story via pictures and objects including political cartoons, memorabilia and a daguerreotype of him in old age, as well as paintings. I went in expecting to be bored stiff by a worthy history lesson but left feeling enlightened and enchanted. --The Daily Telegraph

This new book about the 1st Duke of Wellington provides a novel take on the traditional biography in that it explores the life of this complex man through portraits – of Wellington himself, his friends, family and associates, as well as his political and military allies and opponents. There are examples of painted portraits by Goya and Thomas Lawrence, several caricatures that illustrate Wellington’s political career, and a watercolour by George Chinnery that shows the future duke as a young Major - General at the Chepauk Palace, Madras being received by Azim al - Daula, Nawab o f the Carnatic, in February 1805. Also reproduced is a rare photograph, a Daguerreotype, made by Antoine Claudet on the occasion of Wellington’s seventy - fifth birthday in 1844, and sections of a sixty - six - foot roll from the Collection of the National Portr ait Gallery depicting his entire funeral procession. Paul Cox explores Wellington’s military career and the battle of Waterloo, which remain central to his story, but also examines his personal relationships, his legacy and his enduring place in the popu lar imagination. Finally, a narrative chronology presents a useful overview of Wellington’s life and times.