The Duke of Wellington
The story
“The Duke of Wellington” was painted in 1812–1814. The British general Wellington entered Madrid in 1812 after defeating the French army. Francisco de Goya painted his portrait and later changed it.
In “The Duke of Wellington” we see the general to the waist, in a red uniform with many orders and medals. His face is pale and tired, and his gaze distant. The background is dark.
Francisco de Goya does not paint the proud victor, but the tired man after the battle. The medals shine, but the face is quiet and serious.
In 1961 the National Gallery in London bought the portrait for 140,000 pounds. On 21 August the same year it was stolen. In 1965 the pensioner Kempton Bunton confessed to the theft, and the painting was returned. It even appeared in the James Bond film “Dr. No”. Soon after the portrait Goya painted The Second of May 1808.
Today “The Duke of Wellington” is back in the National Gallery in London.
Interesting facts
The canvas measures 64.3 × 52.4 cm, oil.
The portrait was stolen in 1961.
It appears in the film “Dr. No”.
