Lot 240: Alfred-Guillaume-Gabriel, Comte d'Orsay, French (1801-1852) A bronze equestrian portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), Field Marshall and Prime Minister

depicted on his favourite charger 'Hanover', on a rectangular naturalistic base, dark brown patination, signed to the base and the underside of the horse COMTE D'ORSAY SCULPT. 1848, 41cm high, 38cm wide (16" high, 14.5" wide)

Comte d'Orsay studied sculpture in Florence and Paris before arriving in London in 1823. He mixed in aristocratic circles and enjoyed success as a painter and sculptor in both 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.

Comte d'Orsay was 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 a painted a portrait of Wellington which was apparently one of his favourite depictions, and is now in the National Portrait Gallery.

A large example 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: This model is illustrated on page 526, P. Kjellberg Les Bronzes du XIX Siecle, Les Editions de L'Amateur, Paris.