Attributed to SIR WILLIAM JOHN NEWTON

William John Newton enjoyed success as a miniaturist in Victorian England. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1808, and also exhibited at the British Institute. In 1833, he became miniature painter to William IV and Queen Adelaide, and later became painter to Queen Victoria. 

The identification of this portrait comes from previous sales records; however, it is not certain. As a Captain of the Scotch Brigade, Jamie Campbell fought under Arthur Wellesley, later the 1st Duke of Wellington, at the Battle of Assaye in 1803. The Brigade had been notified only a few days before that they were to join the battle as the 94th Regiment. There are no other depictions of Captain Jamie Campbell, and the uniform worn by the sitter is more consistent with that worn by junior officers, rather than captains, of the Scotch Brigade. It is instead likely that the gentleman depicted here is another soldier from the regiment whose identification has been confused historically.