Arthur Wellesly, hertog van Wellington 1815 - 1837

This bronze medal portraying Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was created by Leopold Heuberger, an Austrian medallist who lived and worked during a tumultuous period in European history. Wellesley was a leading figure in the British military and aristocracy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars, in which he played a key role in defeating Napoleon Bonaparte, forever changing the geopolitical landscape of Europe. Heuberger’s choice to immortalize the Duke through this piece, speaks to the cultural and political values of the time. Medals like these were often commissioned to celebrate military or political figures. Through portraiture, the cultural elite could reinforce particular ideals and cement their legacy. This medal captures not only the Duke’s likeness, but also the power dynamics inherent in the British class system.