Another American, Frederik Meijer, continued to finance the project, which eventually materialized He managed to build the company for fifteen years at a cost of $ 2.5 million, he died before seeing the horse completed. Thanks to the American Charles Dent, art collector, enthusiastic about the idea of realizing Leonardo's dream, we can see this majestic work. In 1499, French troops arrived in Milan, which used it as a target - shot (idiots) and destroyed it. In 1493, the first design was modified and another design like this was implemented and displayed.Įverything was ready but the 100 tons of bronze, necessary to make the statue, were not available due to the merger of several cannons useful for the defense of the Este duchy. The study for the realization of this equestrian masterpiece began in 1482, when Ludovico il Moro, Duke of Milan, proposed to Leonardo to build the largest equestrian statue in the world. To learn more about the RHP collection, see our Maps and Plans guide and search the online catalogue.Wonderful horse of Leonardo da Vinci, must see. See our feature on Scottish Soldiers at Waterloo and read more about the History of our Buildings. The Iron Duke still stands guard where he was placed in 1852. Forty years later, the advent of trams led in 1890 to the screen wall being pushed back even further to its present position, while the steps were squared off. Their favoured design retained the distinctive curved corners of Adam's original design. The Register House trustees and their aristocratic allies got their way. To the screen wall of General Register House, 1849 A group of local shopkeepers and other Edinburgh citizens tried to have more drastic alterations made that would allow easier movement at the awkward corner with Leith Street.ĭetail of plan showing proposed alterations It was agreed that the wall needed to be moved closer to the building to make room for the sculpture. The position of the statue prompted a prolongued and bitter dispute over the screen wall in front of Register House. National Records of Scotland, GD45/26/116
Photograph of the Wellington Statue, 1852, His magnificent bronze sculpture is regarded as among the best of the duke, and one of his greatest works.
In 1842 the commission went to John Steell, from Edinburgh, who depicted Wellington mounted on his favourite horse, Copenhagen, firmly but calmly directing his forces in battle. National Records of Scotland, RHP140625 The Iron Duke in bronze by Steell They also had a high regard for Wellington's military prowess and leadership, although they deplored his conservative politics.Įngraving of Steell's statue of Wellington, c.1852,
Other landowners, who were their political opponents, contributed funds. The proposal for a public statue in Edinburgh was carried out by a committee of Tory landowners and supporters. Wellington's defeat of Napoleon was regarded as ensuring the freedom not only of Britain but of Europe in general. The old general, by then 83, was not present, but many veterans he commanded in the battle were there to hear him hailed as an outstanding British military hero. The statue of the Duke of Wellington outside Register House was unveiled in a highly patriotic ceremony on 18 June 1852, the thirty-seventh anniversary of his greatest victory at Waterloo.
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