Henry Robert Stewart, burggraaf Castlereagh 1827

This bronze medal portrays Henry Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, created by Leopold Heuberger. Castlereagh, as he was known, was the British Foreign Secretary during a tumultuous time in European history. He played a crucial role in the negotiations after the defeat of Napoleon, helping to reshape the continent at the Congress of Vienna. What does it mean to be a statesman in times of upheaval? Castlereagh, of Scottish-Irish aristocratic origins, was known for his conservative politics, and for being against any kind of parliamentary reform. This medal commemorates a figure who was both celebrated and reviled in his time. While some saw him as an architect of peace, others criticized his role in suppressing dissent at home. This portrait, immortalized in bronze, allows us to reflect on the complexities of power, privilege, and the long shadow of history.