RJR,
Many thanks for your most interesting post, I enjoy them and learn something new each time.
It is always fun to look at old Military artwork and envision what the artist actually saw, if he had Soldiers posing in a studio setting or if he merely drew/sketched on the Parade Grounds or from memory. In some cases it even appears that the artist never saw them or their equipment and that he only drew from what he 'thought' they/it should look like. For an example of this, simply refer to the artwork above and look closely at the Piper, his Pipes have the standard 3 drones going over his left shoulder in the correct manner and his left arm is crooked in the correct manner and his hands are in the correct position to operate the Chanter. However the bag, very small and almost unseen, is one used for what are called 'Small Pipes' or 'Lowland Pipes' and not the 'Highland' so commonly associated with Military usage in Scottish units. No big deal really, the artist probably saw the small bag as making the Soldier look bigger, and after all, who wants to see a small Soldier in a kilt?
It is also interesting that this artist concentrates his talents on the uniform and facial structures and not on the weaponry as seen in the odd-looking rifles. Again, no big deal here but still, it would be fun to know what he used for a model or if it was completely from his memory or via a discusssion with others. Perhaps it went something like this, he and one of his cronies were having a cigar and brandy whilst he sketched in his studio after dinner...
"Charles, Old Chap, isn't that rifle those Canadians carry just some sort of a long-barrelled musket and nothing like what our Highland Regiments shoulder here?"
"Right you are Bunnett, Enfields would never be wasted on that lot, Muskets is all they'll ever need, that and plenty of good steel and Scotch, whot?!"
"Well, said, Old Chap, I think it should look something like this...yes, thats got it, and that Piper, a Highland man? Doubtful, he probably came from Liverpool, a small set of Lowland Pipes for him I think, yes, yes, that s much better."
Ah, well, it sounds plausible.
Best regards and good researching!
'Ol Gabe