Arthur Tooth, London 1946-7;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 10th June 1997, lot 92 (bt. by the present owner)

The Connoisseur, March 1946;
M. Archer, India and British Portraiture 1770-1825, London 1979, p.306-8, pl.212

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appear to be in very good condition and has been cleaned. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultravilet light reveals scaterred minor retouching overall, as well as a slightly opaque varnish. FRAME In a British Rococo style carved and gilded frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

William Sydenham was the son of Samuel Sydenham and his wife Alice Chapman, from Minehead near Exmoor. In 1768 ♈he was commissioned as a Cadet in the East India Company's Madras Artillery, and in 1776 married his wife Amelia, the niece of General Horne, who had also served with the artillery in In🍸dia.

In 1786, during the war with the Tipu Sultan of Mysore, Sydenham was promoted to Lieutenant-Colo𒈔nel in command of the 1st Battalion at St. Thomas's Mount near Fort St. George, Madras, which can be seen in the background of t♎his painting. He was later promoted Major-General, Commandant of Artillery and Auditor-General of Fort St. George in January 1801, but sadly died in June of that year.

The couple had two sons and a daughter, the eldest of whom, Benjamin, served in ෴the Madras Engineers from 1794 to 1808 and became Secretary to Marquis Wellesley, when he was Governor-Ge💞neral of India.