WD4422

Bust length portrait of Robert Sutherland (1768-1804), in military uniform. c.1803-04. The initials ‘J.W.’ scratched into pigment at lower right, but the artist of this and the next is almost certainly Samuel Andrews (in India c.1791-1807). See WD4442 for a signed miniature in very similar style. ‘JW’ possibly refers to the son John William Sutherland.

Inscribed on reverse of small framed reproduction: ‘Colonel Robert Sutherland born near Tain in Rosshire 1768. Youngest of the seven sons of - Sutherland - went to India as Ensign in 42d Highlanders but went into Scindia’s service. Wounded at the taking of Indore Oct 14. 1801. Died & was buried at Muthra 20 July 1804 aged 36. Married Madelaine Hessing daughter of Col. J.W. Hessing. He was father of John William Sutherland of Coombe Croydon.’

Grisaille on ivory; 10.2 by 7.5 cm, oval.

Note: Some accounts say Sutherland was cashiered out of his Highland regiment, and James Skinner was said to have found him a brave, but somewhat shifty and unreliable, fellow-officer. He joined Sindhia’s army in 1790 and fought against the Bundelkhandi Rajputs in 1795, briefly taking over command of the Mahratta forces following de Boigne’s resignation, before being replaced by Perron. In 1799 he was in charge of Sindhia’s First Brigade, the ‘cheria fauj’, or army of birds, in the Deccan, but was later transferred ignominiously to the Second Brigade and resigned his commission. He went to Agra and was instrumental in helping his brother-in-law, George Hessing, draw up the surrender terms with Lord Lake, in October 1803. A few days later Sutherland, along with other mercenaries, went over to the British. He was in receipt of a pension, but lived only a year to enjoy it. An obelisk in the Jumna Bagh at Mathura reads: ‘Erected to the memory of Robert Sutherland, Colonel in Maharaj Daulat Rao Scindia’s service, who departed this life on the 28th July 1804, aged 36 years. Also in rembrance of his son, C.P. Sutherland (a very promising youth), who died at Hindia on the 14th October 1801, aged three years.’