3-002-786 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Portrait of an Officer, c1773. The subject has been identified as a subaltern officer below the rank of captain of the 2nd Infantry Bengal Brigade, Calcutta. From the subject's neck is suspended a gorget, an element of armour more traditional than functional worn by the duty officer. A line of tents can be seen in the backgroud. Kettle prospered as a portraitist while residing in India from 1769 to 1776. He later pursued a less successful career in London. In 1786, he departed for a second stay in India, but died en route.