A member of the Irish Aristocracy, Wellesley had made his name during his spell as Governor-General of India. He had promoted the career of his younger brother Arthur, the future Duke of Wellington. By the time Lawrence painted him he was rapidly being eclipsed in fame by his younger brother who led British and Allied troops to victory in the Peninsular War and the later Battle of Waterloo.[2]
The painting was commissioned by the sitter. He is shown dressed in an ensemble of black clothing and sitting on a red upholstered armchair with a curtain in the background. He is wearing the prestigious Order of the Garter (Lesser George of the Order of the Garter on the riband and the Garter on the left leg). As with all his major portraits, Laurence executed the work in oil on canvas.[4] It became the best-known image of Wellesley, who was painted on several occasions, due to the numerous engravings made of it.[5] An 1815 mezzotint by Charles Turner is now in the National Portrait Gallery.[6] The original painting was later presented by Wellesley to the young Queen Victoria. In 1859 it was hanging at Windsor Castle. It remains part of the Royal Collection.[7]
A few years after completing the painting, Lawrence depicted Wellesley's future wife the American heiress Marriane[8][9]
_-_Richard_Colley_Wellesley,_Marquess_Wellesley_(1760-1842)_-_RCIN_400643_-_Royal_Collection.jpg)
