Duke of Wellington 1835 - 1846

Benedetto Pistrucci, an Italian gem-engraver working in Britain, created this bronze medal depicting the Duke of Wellington. Considered one of the greatest military figures in British history, Wellington defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, ending over two decades of conflict in Europe. This medal would have been made as a commemorative object, a way of celebrating the Duke’s accomplishments but also reinforcing the power of the British empire. Portraits like this did more than simply depict the person. In a society rigidly stratified by class, portraits of powerful men like Wellington reinforced social hierarchies. The idealization of the sitter, the emphasis on strength, and the material used for the object all spoke to the elite status that Wellington occupied. As you look at this medal, think about the narratives that it promotes, and also those it obscures. Who is celebrated in this history, and whose stories remain untold?