Code: 10942
Dimensions:
"His Grace The Duke of Wellington"
by James Scott (1809-1899)
after John Lilley (fl. 1835-1846)
Published by Thomas Boys (fl. 1819-1853)
Mezzotint
London, November 15 1838
Measures: 42 cm x 34 cm (image)
51 cm x 35 cm (image & text)
A good engraved portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The subject standing depicted just over half-length, looking to the front, wearing a cloak which he holds with his right hand, over military uniform fastened with three double breasted buttons, star, medal, Order of the Golden Fleece, and white cravat; his left hand resting on a paper lettered with 'Dover Harb[our]', lying on a carpet covered table; column behind to the right, Dover Castle in the distance at left. Lettered beneath the image "To Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria / This Portrait of / His Grace the Duke of Wellington, K.G. &c. &c. &c. / As Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. / Painted expressly for the Corporation of Dover for their Town Hall. / Is by Royal Permission specially dedicated by Her Majesty's very devoted & most obedient humble Servant / Thomas Boys", production details and publication line: "Painted by John Lilley", "Engraved by James Scott", "London, Published November 15, 1837 by Thomas Boys, Printseller to His Late Majesty, XI, Golden Square".
Wellington was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports on 20 January 1829, during his first term of office as Prime Minister. Thomas Boys issued a larger full-length version of this print the year after he published this version.
See National Portrait Gallery NPG D37586; British Museum 1868,0808.2094 etc
Condition:-
Trimmed to the platemark top and left - but still with broad border. Various frits and tears to the edge, not affecting the text or image. The most significant tear top left making a slight ingress into the sky. All frits now closed and strengthened with ph-neutral Lineco archival paper conservation tape. Some minor historical creasing. The sheet attractively grubby. The back of the sheet tacky in places with evidence of previous use of masking tape.
