Good nature brings death

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Brereton (1782-1832)

Thomas Brereton killed himself a few days into his court martial.
He was at trial because he did not give an order to attack unarmed people of Bristol with his troops. He was in his early 40's when he died.

This is a small area of a bigger painting in Bristol Museum (M Shed). It is an excellent painting, very cleverly done. One of the staff told me they do not know which person in the painting is the doomed man. The painting skilfully highlights a few faces among many and my own guess is this chap from his look of worry - and that those around him are pointedly ignoring him.

Rolinda Sharples (1793-1838). Artist. From the faces, I think she cared.
Do go along and see it if you get the chance. Its a small painting, both sad and beautiful.

See also 17 Feb 2012 entry.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Brereton,_Thomas_%281782-1832%29_%28DNB00%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Brereton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolinda_Sharples