Portret van Arthur Wellesley, hertog van Wellington 1814 - 1826

This is Jacob Ernst Marcus's portrait of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. This engraving is a visual artifact of a specific moment in European history, marked by the rise and fall of empires and the shifting tides of political power. Wellesley, as a celebrated military figure, embodies the values and structures of his time. Note the meticulous detail in his military attire, a visual marker of his authority and social standing. Marcus’s rendering of Wellington speaks to the construction of masculinity and power in the 19th century. It invites us to consider how historical narratives are constructed and whose perspectives are prioritized. The artwork’s emphasis on Wellington’s individual achievements somewhat obscures the broader socio-political context. It invites us to question the narratives of heroism and victory that often overshadow the complexities and human costs of conflict.