Imitating the style of ancient classical marble busts, Richard, Marquess of Wellesley, is depicted looking left and wearing a cloak loosely arranged over his shoulders and with fashionable brushed forward hair.

An Anglo-Irish politician and controversial figure of his time, Richard, Marquess of Wellesley, gained recognition for his leading role in the expansion of the British dominions in Asia, the defeat of Tipu Sultan in May 1799, and the unification of a large part of the Indian territories.