DUKE OF WELLINGTON: LAUDATORY MEDAL

PISTRUCCI, Benedetto: England, 1841, Bronze, 61 mm
Obv: Bust of Wellington (l)    FIELD MARSHAL ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON
Rev: Bellerophon helmet: plumed ornate helmet decorated with Pegasus spearing the Chimera: thunderbolt below.    NOVA CANTAMVS TROPAEA (We Celebrate New Victories).    AVGVST. 1841
Signed:  PISTRUCCI
Scarce
Ref: BHM ii, 60/2011; Eimer 1353; Eimer (Wellington) 69/118; Hocking 243/91; Parks Weber 189;  Forrer IV p. 610 (illustrated);  Weiss BW399

Arthur Wellesley, was the first Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) and a field-marshal. During a long and distinguished military career, Wellington had many victories for the allied forces, first in India and, more importantly, in the Peninsular campaign. His victory at the Battle of Waterloo, which he effected with the help of Blucher, was perhaps his most famous triumph. Later in his career he became unpopular with the British public because of his opposition to the Reform Bill. In 1841, Wellington accepted the position of a cabinet minister, which may be the event commemorated by this medal. The wax model for this piece is in the Palazzo Braschi in Rome. (BHM)
This medal is said to be the finest and one of the most romantic medallic images of Wellington. Benedetto Pistrucci's portrait, first produced in this form as a wax model in 1825, is firmly in the neo-classical tradition. As such, the artist has removed in his treatment any hint or semblance of Wellington's military or political career. (Eimer, Wellington)

LINK to Biography of Duke of Wellington (from victorianweb.org)

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