Antique 1828 print, The Duke of Wellington, mezzotint after Thomas Lawrence
£40.00
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Antique 1828 print, The Duke of Wellington, mezzotint after Thomas Lawrence
£40.00
Size: Mount 33 x 43 cm, print inside mount window 25.5 x 35.5 cm
Condition: Good antique condition, age toning with a lighter strip towards the bottom margin and a light water stain in the lettering - might look better framed without the letters.
This is a print from the age of the great British mezzotint, and a portrait of one of that period most famous men, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769 - 1852).
The print is published by Colnaghi, a well known London publisher, and engraved by Samuel Cousins from a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, at that time Principal Painter in Ordinary to His Majesty King George IV. Lawrence painted Wellington eight times, and this portrait is interesting because it depicts him less like "The Iron Duke" and victor of Waterloo, and more as a sensitive statesman.
The original painting was sold at Christies on 30th June 2026 for £9.6m, a record sum for a Lawrence painting which reflected its historical and artistic importance.
Mezzotint was an engraving process which involved the used of rollers which created different tones on the copper plate, resulting in wide contrasts between light and dark, and soft features making it ideal for portraits.
Wellington is best known for his leading role in defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, but he was also a highly successful politician, twice Prime Minister of Britain.