Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, 1820 (c)

Carved oak panel, by or after Peter Rouw (1770-1852), 1830 (c).

Following the final defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815), the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) was cast in the role of a national hero and saviour of the country. There was great public demand for images of him, and some 150 portraits in oils alone were painted during the first half of the 19th century. His portrait also appeared on a variety of commemorative wares such as medals and ceramics, as well as paintings, prints and sculptures. The Duke's prominent hooked nose, a natural target for caricaturists, was naturally most distinctive in profile.

A versatile sculptor, Rouw produced statuary, wax portraits, cut gems and cameos and even designed medals and coinage. In 1807 he was appointed Modeller of Gems and Cameos to the Prince of Wales, later King George IV.