Lot 59: Thomas Overton (British, active circa 1820-1850) Portrait of Sir William Sleeman

Portrait of Sir William Sleeman
inscribed 'W Sleeman' (verso)
watercolour and pencil
20.5 x 17.5cm (8 1/16 x 6 7/8in).

The present lot is an early portrait of Sir William Henry Sleeman (1788-1856), who joined the British East India Company Bengal Regiment in 1809. This portrait shows the sitter wearing civilian dress (as opposed to military) and likely coincides with his period of extended leave in 1825-1826. Sleeman is best known for his successful work as the superintendent of operations against the Thuggee secret society, which he wrote about in his book The Thugs or Phansigars of India (Philadelphia, 1839).