London: Wellington Arch

 

Wellington Arch.

 

Constructed 1826-1830.

 

 

From the exhibition inside the arch:

Copy cast of lion mask hub cap from the wheel of the quadriga.

 

 

This picture (taken ca. 1850) shows Wellington Arch with a huge equestrian statue of
the Duke on top. This unfortunate composition was later abandoned.

 

 

This map shows the former and the present location of the arch.

The former position on the left; the present position on the right.
The arch was moved a short distance and turned ca. 45 degrees. 

The move took place 1882-1883.

 

 

The arch was used as a symbol of Britain in this historical poster for BOAC,

the British Overseas Airline Company.

 

 

The angel of peace descends on the chariot of war placed on top of the arch.

This is a modern copy of the head.

 

 

A view from the observation platform:

Looking north you can see the equestrian statue of the Duke.

 

 

A view from the observation platform.
Looking west you can see the monument to commemorate the
soldiers who died during World War One.

 

 

A view from the observation platform.

 

 

A view from the observation platform.

 

 

A view from the observation platform.

 

 

The carriage pulled by four horses seen from the observation platform.

 

 

The angel of peace descends on the chariot of war placed on top of the arch.

Below the angel you can see the young boy who is driving the carriage.
NB! This is a picture of a picture in the exhibition.

 

 

A close-up on the angel of peace.
In her hand she holds the victor's crown.
NB! This is a picture of a picture.

 

 

The quadriga (a carriage pulled by four horses) on top of the arch.

 

 

The quadriga with the angel of peace.

 

 

Detail of the decoration:

Two Corinthian columns and one Corinthian pilaster.

 

 

Detail of the decoration:

Two Corinthian capitals.

 

 

Wellington Arch.

 

 

The quadriga on top of the arch.

 

 

In the foreground a part of the monument to commemorate
the soldiers who died in World War One.

 

 

In the foreground a part of the monument to commemorate
the soldiers who died in World War One.

 

 

The small equestrian statue of the Duke made by Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890).

On this side of the plinth you can see the dates of the Duke's life:
he was born in 1769; he died in 1852.

 

 

The equestrian statue of the Duke.

On this side of the plinth you can see the name of the Duke: Wellington.

 

 

The small equestrian statue of the Duke is placed

near the arch that is named after him.

 

 

The walls of the tunnel next to the monument are decorated with text and pictures about the Duke:

"The life of Wellington (1769-1852). Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, was
born of an aristocratic Irish family in 1769, the same year as Napoleon Bonaparte."
On the left: a silhouette of Arthur Wellesley, aged 11.

 

 

"In 1796 he went to India. It was during this formative period he grew to be

an outstanding soldier and a shrewd statesman.

He returned to England in 1805."

 

 

"In 1808 he embarked for the pensinsular campaign in Portugal.

He was successful in defeating Napoleon's armies in Portugal and Spain,

culminating in the battle of Vitoria in 1813."

 

 

"The Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815."

 

 

"1815. The Battle of Waterloo. The meeting of Wellington and

Blücher after the victory at Waterloo."

 

 

"Waterloo: The Morning After.

Forty thousand men and ten thousand horses lay dead,

dying or helpless from their wounds."

 

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