Lot Essay
This painting is possibly the work which was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh in 1861 (no.572) as Portrait of the Children of Lieutenant Colonel R.W. Fraser H.E.I.C.S.
Robert Warden Fraser was born in Forres, Morayshire on 3 January 1806, eldest son of Bailie Alexander Fraser, a local merchant and his wife Jane Warden. At the age of 15, he was recruited to the 23rd Regiment of the Bengal Army and arrived in India at the end of October 1822. Two years later, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in May 1824, and subsequently to Major in April 1851.
In 1852, while serving in India, Major Fraser married Caroline Purvis, daughter of Richard Home, and grand-daughter of Charles Fraser, later giving birth to their eldest son who died aged 18 in 1875.
During his service in India, it is likely that he was associated to the East India Company, a commercial trading company which yielded considerable political power in India up until the Indian Mutiny (1857-1959) after which its powers were transferred to the India Office.
On his retirement from the Army in June 1853 he returned to Scotland and lived at 17 Napier Road, Merchiston, Edinburgh until his death on 30 June 1876.
Robert Warden Fraser was born in Forres, Morayshire on 3 January 1806, eldest son of Bailie Alexander Fraser, a local merchant and his wife Jane Warden. At the age of 15, he was recruited to the 23rd Regiment of the Bengal Army and arrived in India at the end of October 1822. Two years later, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in May 1824, and subsequently to Major in April 1851.
In 1852, while serving in India, Major Fraser married Caroline Purvis, daughter of Richard Home, and grand-daughter of Charles Fraser, later giving birth to their eldest son who died aged 18 in 1875.
During his service in India, it is likely that he was associated to the East India Company, a commercial trading company which yielded considerable political power in India up until the Indian Mutiny (1857-1959) after which its powers were transferred to the India Office.
On his retirement from the Army in June 1853 he returned to Scotland and lived at 17 Napier Road, Merchiston, Edinburgh until his death on 30 June 1876.