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Sir William Beechey (English, 1753-1839)
Portrait of Field Marshal, Duke of Wellington, after 1814
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in.
August Heckscher Collection. 1959.148
The portraits by Sir William Beechey were especially admired by contemporaries for the accuracy of their likenesses, and the artist's career bore all the hallmarks of success. He studied at the Royal Academy in London, exhibiting there throughout his career, and achieving full membership as an academician in 1798, the same year he was knighted. For much of his career, Beechey received royal patronage, but despite his honors he was eclipsed by the portraitist Sir Thomas Lawrence by 1800.
The first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, was appointed in June 1814. The following year, forces under his command defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Depicted in military dress, the highly decorated Duke received official honors from many nations during his career.
The Heckscher painting is probably a replica of one originally done for Lord Beresford (1814). Replicas were generally produced in the artist's studio with the help of studio assistants. The Duke never owned a portrait of himself by Beechey, although he did own portraits of himself by other artists, including Sir Thomas Lawrence.
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