Don Miguel Ricardo de Alava
(1771-1843), Spanish ambassadorRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 1 portrait
Alava had a unique distinction: he fought at both the battles of Trafalgar (1805) and Waterloo (1815), and because Spain changed allegiance, he fought on different sides. He was Wellington's Spanish liaison officer in the Peninsular War, and became a firm friend. He served as his country's ambassador to London in the 1830s. Wellington's regard for him was obvious in the way he introduced the Spaniard to the employees at Coutts' bank: 'This is my friend, and as long as I have any money at your house, let him have it to any amount that he thinks proper to draw for.'
by William Salter
oil on canvas, 1830-1840
NPG 3691
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.