The painting for which this drawing is a study was commissioned in 1838 by the widow of Sir David Baird, an army officer who played a leading role in the British capture and plunder of Srirangapatna in southern India during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799. The killing of Mysore’s ruler, Tipu Sultan (called Tippoo Sahib by the British), led to the consolidation of the British East India Company’s control of India.

At 3.7 x 2.7 metres and commanding a fee of 1500 guineas, the painting was one of Wilkie's most ambitious and costly commissions. This large-scale study with its dramatic lighting and low vantage point focuses on the gleaming uniforms of the two foreground figures. As Baird had died in 1829, Wilkie had to work from posed models.

The finished painting, dated 1839, took Wilkie four years to complete. It is now in the National Galleries Scotland (NG2430).

probably in the artist's estate sale, either Christie's (London), 25 April 1842, lot 114 or 368, or 20 June 1860, lot 73, 122, 281, 344 or 347; William Hookham Carpenter, London (1792-1866); acquired from him by William Donaldson Clark, Edinburgh (1816-1873); purchased from him by Vivian A. Webber, September 1867; anonymous sale, Christie's (London), 23 June 1944, lot 101 (with D.1952.RW.3591); purchased there by Colnaghi (London); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b, 26 June 1944 (£16.16s for both); Witt Bequest 1952

A Passion for Drawings, Collectors at the Courtauld, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 28/02/2002-09/06/2002

Sir David Baird discovering the body of Tippoo Sahib, National Gallery of Scotland & Edinburgh, 21/11/1985-26/01/2986

Drawings from the Witt Collection at the Courtauld Institute of Art, St James's Square, London; York City Art Gallery; Peterborough Art Gallery, 1953 ...More

Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 57

Drawings from the Witt Collection at the Courtauld Institute of Art, St James's Square, London, York City Art Gallery and Peterborough Art Gallery, 1953
cat. no. 42

Three Centuries of British Watercolours and Drawings, Arts Council of Great Britain, London, 1951
cat. no. 210

Watermark: Watermark: Verso, upper right corner: "SMITH & ALNUTT / 1819".

Inscription: Verso (hidden under Japanese tissue but visible via transmitted light): centre, graphite: "1512". Removed from a former mount and now mounted in the file: both in brown ink: “This picture was formerly in the possession of Mr. Carpenter / late keeper of the prints at the British Museum _ / Since it came into Mr. Clark’s hands it has been recognised by / two of Wilkie’s friends – Mr John Z. Bell who assisted / in painting the picture for which this was a study, and Mr Houston / R.S.A. who said he had often seen it in Wilkie’s Studio, and / adds the curious information that it was a woman who / stood for the figure_ / W.D. Clark”; “Memorandum. / This sketch of Sir David Wilkie’s was purchased by me from / Mr. Clark of Edinburgh, in the month / of September 1867. I obtained / the paper affixed above this memorandum / from Mr. Clark at the same time / that I bought the sketch. / Mr. Clark was at that time a picture dealer &c. in / Prince’s Street Edinburgh. The picture / for part of which the sketch (“study”) was / made, was painted by Sir D. Wilkie, / and subsequently engraved. The subject / is the finding of the body of Tippoo / *Saib after the taking by assault of / Seringapatam / (signed) Vivian A. Webber / Ocr.. 5th..1867 / *(or Sahib)”.

Collector's mark: Verso (hidden under Japanese tissue but visible via transmitted light): lower left corner, stamped in black: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).