[1] Wellesley was a senior politician in Britain where he served as Foreign Secretary from 1809 to 1812 and was regarded as a potential future Prime Minister.

Lawrence was the leading portraitist of the Regency era, depicting prominent figures from Britain and it's European Allies during the Napoleonic Wars.

By the time Lawrence painted him he was rapidly being eclipsed in fame by his younger brother who led British and Allied troops to victory in the Peninsular War and the later Battle of Waterloo.

Wellesley remained on the political sidelines for several years, before his career revived by being made Viceroy of his native Ireland in 1821.

[7] A few years after completing the painting, Lawrence depicted Wellesley's future wife the American heiress Marriane[8][9]