John Charles Felix Rossi, 'Asia and Europe', 1826-32

The relief above the Portico Entrance was originally intended for Marble Arch, designed by John Nash in 1827 as a ceremonial entranceway. After the death of John Flaxman, who had been chosen to provide the commemorative sculpture, the work was divided between Charles Rossi, Edward Hodges Baily and Richard Westmacott, while Francis Chantrey was commissioned to produce an equestrian statue of George IV. Work started in 1827 but was halted after the death of George IV and then scaled back after 1831, when the new king, William IV, got rid of its sculptural elements in a cost-cutting exercise. Some of the unused pieces were used at Buckingham Palace, the equestrian statue ended up in Trafalgar Square, and Baily’s victory statues and Rossi’s relief were reemployed at the National Gallery.

The relief’s two young women sit on a horse and camel to represent Europe and Asia, respectively. They hold a wreath which was to have contained a bust of Wellington – but, as Wilkins thought this was too martial, it was never included.