Untitled (DD3B8Y) (1945) is the most famous painting by Robert Sutherland, held by the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. From the 1 works of Robert Sutherland in our catalogue, here are the 1 that collectors and museum visitors look at most, with the year, the museum and the story of each.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026. Every masterpiece on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, at the size you choose.
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Robert Sutherland | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Shrine of Remembrance |
Melbourne | 1 | Untitled (DD3B8Y) |
Untitled (DD3B8Y) (1945).
Our catalogue lists 1 works by Robert Sutherland.
Most of them are in Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne). The table above lists the museums one by one.
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered as a museum-quality, hand-painted oil reproduction or a fine art print, in the size you choose, from the painting's own page.
In the tapestry of nineteenth-century history, few threads shine with as much resilient brilliance as that of Robert Sutherland. Born in Jamaica around 1830, Sutherland’s life was a profound odyssey of intellect and courage, navigating the rigid societal structures of the Victorian era to emerge as a pioneer of justice and academic excellence. While his origins are rooted in the Caribbean, his journey would eventually lead him to the heart of North American academia, where he would shatter long-standing barriers and etch his name into the annals of Canadian history forever.
Sutherland’s early years were shaped by the complexities of a colonial Jamaica, yet his spirit was never confined by the limitations imposed upon Black individuals during that period. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he traveled to Canada to attend Queen's University, a move that would mark him as a figure of immense historical significance. As the first student of colour to enroll at the institution, Sutherland did not merely exist within its halls; he dominated them. His academic prowess was nothing short of legendary, as he secured an astounding fourteen academic prizes, demonstrating a mastery over classical studies and mathematics that commanded the respect of his peers and professors alike.
The intellectual development of Sutherland was characterized by a rare synthesis of classical tradition and rigorous logic. His graduation in 1852 with honours in classics and mathematics served as a prelude to a career defined by breaking boundaries. One of the most poignant symbols of his standing among his contemporaries was his receipt of the prestigious prize for general merit in Latin—an honour bestowed upon him following a vote by his fellow students, signifying a deep-seated respect that transcended racial divides.
Following his academic triumphs, Sutherland turned his formidable intellect toward the legal profession. Studying at Osgoode Hall Law School, he navigated the arduous path of apprenticeship and examination to become a licensed practitioner in Ontario. In 1855, he achieved a milestone that would resonate through generations: he was admitted to the bar, becoming the first known Black lawyer in British North America. His legal practice in Walkerton, Ontario, spanned two decades, during which time he stood as a beacon of professional achievement and a testament to the possibility of social mobility through merit and perseverance.
The true magnitude of Sutherland’s impact is perhaps most poignantly felt in his final, selfless act. Upon his death in 1878, Sutherland left his entire estate—a substantial sum of $12,000—to Queen's University. To understand the weight of this bequest, one must consider that it was roughly equivalent to the institution's entire annual operating budget at the time. This extraordinary act of philanthropy saved the university from financial catastrophe during a period of intense banking crises and prevented its potential annexation by the University of Toronto, ensuring the survival of an independent academic sanctuary.
Today, the memory of Robert Sutherland is preserved not just in dusty archives, but through active tributes that continue to inspire. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of the institutions he helped sustain:
Through his academic triumphs, his legal pioneering, and his monumental generosity, Robert Sutherland transformed from a student seeking opportunity into a benefactor of history, leaving behind a world much brighter than the one he entered.