Master Paintings
Master Paintings
Property of a Private Collector
Arthur William Devis
Portrait of a Captain, possibly David Baird, half-length, before the fort at Srirangapatna
Lot Closed
October 21, 04:23 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property of a Private Collector
Arthur William Devis
London 1762 - 1822
Portrait of a Captain, possibly David Baird, half-length, before the fort at Srirangapatna
oil on canvas
canvas: 30⅛ by 25 in.; 76.5 by 63.5 cm.
framed: 38⅜ by 33¾ in.; 97.5 by 85.7 cm.
With Leger Galleries, London;
From whom acquired, 1973;
Thence by descent to the present collector.
From whom acquired, 1973;
Thence by descent to the present collector.
Arthur William Devis portrays a distinguished captain, behind whom stands a military fortification. In all likelihood, the sitter was Captain (later Major) David Baird (1757-1829), who joined the British Army in 1772 and was posted to India in 1779. Part of an artistic family, Devis specialized in portraits and historical scenes, and almost melds the two genres in this composition. Here, Baird wears military dress, complete with tasseled epaulettes, with the fort at Srirangapatna (previously Seringapatam) in southwestern India visible beyond. Baird had been imprisoned in the fort for four years and eventually in 1799 laid siege to it, leading the British forces to victory and retaking the citadel. In addition to serving in India, Baird also served in Spain; he was made a Knight Grand Cross of Bath and a baronet in 1809.