Portraits at Apsley House Gallery

Healy - Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult N070523

APSLEY HOUSE, London. "Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult Duc de Dalmatie" 1840 by George Peter Alexander HEALY (1808-94). WM 1555-1948. Nicolas Soult (1769-1851) joined the French army before the Revolutionary Wars and fought with distinction through a series of campaigns. He was promoted Marshal by Napoleon in 1804 and took part in the Battles of Ulm, Austerlitz and Jena. Soult was a prominent commander in the Peninsular War between 1808 and 1812 and at the Battle of Toulouse. From 1814 his political allegiance followed the winds, serving Louis XVIII, Napoleon again (during the Hundred Days), Louis again (after a short exile), Louis Philippe and then the Republic. At the time of this portrait in 1840 he was Prime Minister of France

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Lawrence - Henry William Paget N070452

APSLEY HOUSE, London. "Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey" (1768-1854) by Sir Thomas LAWRENCE (1769-1830). WM 1474-1948. Despite personal differences with the Duke of Wellington, in 1815 General Paget commanded the Cavalry Corps. He successfully covered the withdrawal of the Allies following the Battle of Quatre Bras. At the Battle of Waterloo he led a spectacular cavalry charge that turned back D'Erlon's Corps from their assault. One of the last cannon shots fired that day hit Paget in the right leg, necessitating its amputation. According to anecdote he was close to Wellington when he was hit, exclaiming, "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" To which Wellington replied, "By God, sir, so you have!"

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Copley - William II, King of Holland / Prince of Orange N070512

APSLEY HOUSE, London. "William II, King of Holland when Prince of Orange" (1792-1849) circa 1813, by American painter John Singleton COPLEY (1737-1815). WM 1542-1948. Took part in the Peninsular War as aide-de-camp to Wellington from 1811-1813. Returned to the Netherlands in 1813, becoming Crown Prince in 1815. During the campaign he was appointed Major-General and led the Dutch-Belgian contingent of 30, 000 troops. Commanded the allies with energy and bravery at Quatre Bras and Commanded I Corps at Waterloo, where he was wounded. Criticised for tactical misjudgements that led to many casualties, which Wellington attributed to a lack of command experience

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