Apsley House

 Hello There! The other reason for visiting the 'Big City' was to go to Apsley House, the home of the Duke of Wellington.

Very impressive on the outside, there is a wide range of painting, statues, and presentations from many different crowned heads of Europe.

Among the paintings, here is Thomas Graham, one of Wellingtons Generals in the Peninsular.

Here is General Sir George Murray. Brigade commander in the Peninsular.

Wellington. A very crisp and clear painting of the great man.

Lt-Gen Sir Thomas Picton. The lighting did not allow me to take a clear photograph. The room that these paintings were in had a massive number of portraits in it. I would have been there for many hours photographing everything!

In the 'Waterloo Dining Room were some massive portraits of the central figures in that campaign and the monarchs of that era. This painting was over eight feet high!

The whole museum was packed with fine art, dining sets, Field Marshal Batons and various items presented to the First Duke after the Napoleonic Wars.

As an aside I made a quick visit to the National Portrait Gallery. The last time I went there, I saw the portrait of Banastre Tarleton. I wanted to see the portrait of Wellington by Goya, but that was not on display. This time it was the other way round!

This portrait does make the Duke look worn and tired. Not surprising considering the pressure that he must have endured during these years.

On the way back to the underground station I came across this monument to the Rifle Brigade. Based on the First World War but included a figure from the Napoleonic Wars.

I have to recommend the viewer to visit Apsley House. There is a massive collection of memorabilia about the first Duke but while it outlines his whole life does include a lot about the Peninsular war and Waterloo.