Portret van Arthur Wellesley, hertog van Wellington 1813

Heinrich Joseph Mansfeld created this print of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, in Vienna, sometime around 1815. Prints like this played a crucial role in constructing and disseminating the image of Wellington as a national hero across Europe. Note how his military dress and noble title, prominently displayed below the portrait, visually encode his power and status. The portrait emerges from the specific social and political conditions of the time. Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 cemented his place in British history. The print served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing his image and the values he represented: duty, honor, and British exceptionalism. Understanding this image requires considering the role of printmaking in shaping public opinion and the creation of national identity. Research into the print market of the time, as well as the biography of Wellington himself, can help us better understand its historical significance. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.