Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Field-Marshal & Prime Minister

George Gammon Adams (1821 - 1898)

Bronze bust

published 10 January 1853

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Austria
    City: Vienna
    Place: British Embassy

    This bronze bust, based on the death mask of former Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, was made in 1853, the year after Wellington’s death.

    The sculptor, George Gammon Adams, exhibited six works relating to the Duke of Wellington at the Royal Academy from 1853 to 1859. These were: a funeral medal in 1853, a version of this bust and a memorial to the Duke in the following year, a statue of the Duke in 1855, a further bronze statue (made for the city of Norwich) in 1856 and a second bust in 1859.

    This is a small bronze copy of Adams's marble bust of the Duke, of which there are a number of other replicas. A marble version is at Stratfield Saye, the Duke's country residence near Reading. Another example, showing the duke in classical robes, is in the Government Art Collection (GAC 1226).

  • About the artist
    George Gammon Adams attended the Royal Academy Schools from 1840. He later spent a year in Rome, studying under John Gibson. Adams gained recognition after exhibiting work at the Great Exhibition and also designing prize medals for the exhibition. In 1852 he was selected to model the death mask of Wellington. Following this Gammon exhibited six works depicting the Duke and gained commissions for several public monuments. He made a series of busts of notable public figures during the 1850s and ‘60s. Adams exhibited at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. His public sculptures include ‘General Sir Charles James Napier’ (1855) on the South-western plinth in Trafalgar Square and the ‘Dean of Ripon’ at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool.
  • Explore
    People
    Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington Wellesley (1769 - 1852)
    Places
    Subjects
    male portrait, man, 19th century costume, Duke, Prime Minister, field marshal
    Materials & Techniques
    bronze, bust (as object name), Bronze bust
  • Details
    Artist
    George Gammon Adams (1821 - 1898)
    Title
    Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Field-Marshal & Prime Minister
    Date
    published 10 January 1853
    Medium
    Bronze bust
    Dimensions
    height: 30.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Thomas Edwards & Son, October 1952
    Inscription
    on verso: G.G. ADAMS. SC. / Published Jan.ry 10.th 1853
    GAC number
    1881