Alfred-Guillaume-Gabriel, Comte D'Orsay (French, 1801-1852): A bronze equestrian portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Depicted on his favourite charger 'Hanover' wearing a plumed bicorne and holding a telescope in his right hand, his sheathed sword to his left side, on rectangular naturalistic base, the base signed to one side and to the underside of the horse COMTE D'ORSAY SCULPT. 1848, the opposing side of the base inscribed and numbered T.W. No 17, raised on a contemporary black marble rectangular plinth, 44.5cm high approximately overall
The Comte d'Orsay studied sculpture in Florence and Paris before arriving in London in 1823. Known as a flamboyant dandy, he mixed in aristocratic circles and enjoyed success as a both a painter and sculptor in Paris and London, exhibiting at the Royal Academy throughout the 1840's and also at the Paris Salon from 1845. He was nominated as the Director of the Beaux-Arts in 1852 by Louis-Napoleon and exhibited his bronze equestrian statue of Napoleon in 1849 at the Paris Salon.
The sculptor was apparently particularly proud of the present equestrian statuette which caused a stir in London and greatly pleased the Duke. He also produced a bust of the Duke which was reproduced in Parian ware as well as painting a portrait of Wellington which was apparently one of his favourite depictions and which is now in the National Portrait Gallery.
A large edition of this model inscribed 'PRESENTED TO LADY ELIZABETH MARCHIONESS OF DOURO ON THE 18TH JUNE 1852 BY FIELD MARSHAL ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON' was sold at Sotheby's, London, May 29, 2008, lot 20.
Literature:
P. Kjellberg Les Bronzes du XIX Siecle, Les Editions de L'Amateur, Paris (p. 526).
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Depicted on his favourite charger 'Hanover' wearing a plumed bicorne and holding a telescope in his right hand, his sheathed sword to his left side, on rectangular naturalistic base, the base signed to one side and to the underside of the horse COMTE D'ORSAY SCULPT. 1848, the opposing side of the base inscribed and numbered T.W. No 17, raised on a contemporary black marble rectangular plinth, 44.5cm high approximately overall
The Comte d'Orsay studied sculpture in Florence and Paris before arriving in London in 1823. Known as a flamboyant dandy, he mixed in aristocratic circles and enjoyed success as a both a painter and sculptor in Paris and London, exhibiting at the Royal Academy throughout the 1840's and also at the Paris Salon from 1845. He was nominated as the Director of the Beaux-Arts in 1852 by Louis-Napoleon and exhibited his bronze equestrian statue of Napoleon in 1849 at the Paris Salon.
The sculptor was apparently particularly proud of the present equestrian statuette which caused a stir in London and greatly pleased the Duke. He also produced a bust of the Duke which was reproduced in Parian ware as well as painting a portrait of Wellington which was apparently one of his favourite depictions and which is now in the National Portrait Gallery.
A large edition of this model inscribed 'PRESENTED TO LADY ELIZABETH MARCHIONESS OF DOURO ON THE 18TH JUNE 1852 BY FIELD MARSHAL ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON' was sold at Sotheby's, London, May 29, 2008, lot 20.
Literature:
P. Kjellberg Les Bronzes du XIX Siecle, Les Editions de L'Amateur, Paris (p. 526).
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