Lot 338: Alexander Keith RA (fl. 1836-74), 'Portrait of His

Alexander Keith RA (fl. 1836-74), 'Portrait of His Grace, The Duke of Wellington', wearing black jacket and waistcoat, three quarter length, seated, his top hat beside him, oil on canvas, 124cm x 100cm Provenance: The Glandyfi Estate Note: Alexander Keith was a successful Edinburgh portrait painter who exhibited two works at the Royal Academy and nine works at the Royal Scottish Academy, as well as elsewhere in London. A plaque on the frame of this picture suggests that it was painted in 1848. Wellington retired from political life in 1846, although he remained Commander in Chief of the Forces, and returned briefly to the spotlight in 1848 when he helped organise the military force to protect London during that year of European revolution. He died in 1852 at Walmer Castle and was honoured with a state funeral.