Catherine Andras
A Wax Portrait of Viscount Wellington, later 1st Duke of Wellington, 1810
Height: 6.87 in. (17.45 cm.)
London
V9684
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Depicting Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, later 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), in profile, modeled in natural wax mounted on felt, within the original papier maché frame with gilt metal mount....
Depicting Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, later 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), in profile, modeled in natural wax mounted on felt, within the original papier maché frame with gilt metal mount. The wax is signed and dated ‘C Andras Jan 8 1810’ at bottom edge, and inscribed on the backing paper ‘Portrait of Lord Wellington / Modelled by Mrs Andras / Modeller in wax / To Her Majesty / 80 Pall Mall, London’.
Catherine Andras (1775-1860), Modeller in Wax to Queen Charlotte, was an orphan in Bristol whose precocious talent was evident quite early. She moved to London in 1799 where she boarded with miniaturist and owner of the Historic Gallery, Robert Bowyer, who adopted her. She exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1799-1824, where her first exhibit was a portrait of Bowyer. In 1802 Andras was appointed Modeller in Wax to Queen Charlotte, and was awarded ‘The Larger Silver Pallet’ for her portrait of Princess Charlotte. In 1805 Andras was commissioned to model a full-size effigy of Admiral Lord Nelson for Westminster Abbey, which was displayed wearing Nelson’s own cloths. Andrew created many private commissions as well as pieces for James Tassie, working until 1855. A large group of her waxes are in the Royal Collection, and the Victoria & Albert has 30 examples of her work.
Exhibitions:
Andras exhibited a wax profile of Wellington at the Royal Academy in 1810 (no. 640).
Catherine Andras (1775-1860), Modeller in Wax to Queen Charlotte, was an orphan in Bristol whose precocious talent was evident quite early. She moved to London in 1799 where she boarded with miniaturist and owner of the Historic Gallery, Robert Bowyer, who adopted her. She exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1799-1824, where her first exhibit was a portrait of Bowyer. In 1802 Andras was appointed Modeller in Wax to Queen Charlotte, and was awarded ‘The Larger Silver Pallet’ for her portrait of Princess Charlotte. In 1805 Andras was commissioned to model a full-size effigy of Admiral Lord Nelson for Westminster Abbey, which was displayed wearing Nelson’s own cloths. Andrew created many private commissions as well as pieces for James Tassie, working until 1855. A large group of her waxes are in the Royal Collection, and the Victoria & Albert has 30 examples of her work.
Exhibitions:
Andras exhibited a wax profile of Wellington at the Royal Academy in 1810 (no. 640).