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Liverpool
Merseyside North West England Lime Street / William Brown Street (L3) |
Duke of Wellington ColumnArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of WellingtonBritish soldier and statesman (Wikipedia) |
George Anderson Lawson
1863 |
Statue of the Duke of Wellington on a c. 25 m high colum, standing on a square pedestal with four panels: one shows the final charge at the battle of Waterloo; on the other three panels is Wellington's name and the names of his victories.
The monument was inaugurated on 16 May 1863 by S.R. Graves, the Mayor of Liverpool. The pedestal was not completed yet, the panels were added in 1865.
This relief is extensively described in the Liverpool Mercury of 13 December 1865:
Another step towards the completion of this monument has just been taken the insertion of a bronze bas relief in the panel facing Lime-street.
The design … is intended to illustrate that momentous incident the battle of Waterloo when the great duke - whether in the popularly-received phrase "Up Guards and at'em," or in more military form, is little to the purpose - directed the Guards to make that celebrated final charge which decided the day.
The relief includes a group about 20 figures, nearly three feet in height, and the idea sought to be conveyed is very well carried out. The principal figure, of course, is that of Wellington himself, who occupies a position in the relief upon the spectator's left. He is upon horseback, holding a telescope in one hand and the reins lightly in the other. In the background, and slightly in advance of bis chief, is Lord Hill, also upon horseback, who is pointing the duke's attention to some movement of the enemy. Immediately in the rear of Wellington rises the Marquis of Anglesey in his hussar uniforn; and upon foot by his side is a Highlander in kilt and tartan, who, still in the attitude of running man, has just arrived in hot haste with some despatch, and is also pointing forward.
The attitude of the duke and the expression his countenance are skilfully conceived, and give one a good idea of that calm, imperturbable temperament which characterised "the hero of a hundred fights" - a calmness rendered the more striking by the excitement visible in those around. The horse on which he is mounted is designed with freedom and spirit seldom seen in works of this kind - the proudly-arcbed neck, the pawing of the air with one foreleg and the throwing forward of the other happily realise Job's description of the war-horse which "smelleth the battle afar off."
In front of Wellington the Guards are advancing to the charge with fixed bayonets, and the artist has succeeded in giving considerable variety to the action and expression of the men. One of the officers in front has just received a mortal wound, and with his eyes closed in death and his hand pressed to his heart is only saved from falling a soldier who has stepped from the ranks. Close by, another wounded officer is lying the ground; and the mangled remains of others who have before fallen victims are scattered about, the living trampling over the dying and the dead. Battered cannon, broken guns and swords, shot and shell are seen lying about in all directions, half hidden by the trodden corn, and powerfully indicate the havoc that has been at work.
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