Portret van Arthur Wellesley, 1e hertog van Wellington 1815

Pierre Audouin created this print of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, sometime before 1822. It reflects the complex tapestry of power, identity, and representation in post-revolutionary Europe. Wellesley, as a celebrated military figure, embodies the might of the British Empire and the aristocracy. Yet, his depiction through the lens of a French artist like Audouin introduces a layer of historical tension, given the fraught relationship between France and Britain during the Napoleonic era. This portrait, while seemingly a straightforward depiction of a nobleman, touches on themes of class, colonialism, and national identity. It invites us to consider how images of power are constructed, circulated, and received across different cultural contexts. The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its subtle acknowledgement of historical complexities.