A Life of Portraiture and History
Arthur William Devis was an English painter of history paintings and portraits. Born in London, he was the son of the artist Arthur Devis and Elizabeth Faulkner. He entered the Royal Academy Schools as a pupil in 1774, following his elder brother, Thomas Anthony Devis. His early career brought him to the notice of Sir Joshua Reynolds. In 1783, he served as a draughtsman on the British East India Company's packet Antelope during a voyage that included stops in the Pelew Islands, Canton, and Bengal. During this time, he sustained arrow wounds, including one that caused permanent injury to his lower jaw. While in Bengal, he painted a portrait of Sir William Jones, which is currently held at the British Library.
Notable Works and Legacy
Devis is recognized for his involvement in the creation of the posthumous cult of Horatio Nelson. Following the Battle of Trafalgar, he was present on board the HMS Victory during the autopsy of Nelson's body. Using sketches made at that time, he produced a sensation with his painting, the Death of Nelson. He also painted a half-length portrait of Nelson as vice-admiral, which was commissioned by Dr. Beatty. Other works in his repertoire include:
- Master Simpson (1780), a portrait of a boy carrying a dog.
- A portrait of King George III on horseback.
- Historical subjects such as the Babington Plot and the signing of the Magna Carta.
- Portraits of various admirals and generals.
Despite his artistic output, Devis faced financial difficulties and imprisonment for debt. He died in London of apoplexy and was buried in the St Giles-in-the-Fields churchyard.
Questions & Answers
Where can I see all artworks by Arthur William Devis?
Every work by Arthur William Devis on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
How do I find all works by Arthur William Devis in a given medium?
The All Medium page groups Arthur William Devis's artworks by technique.
Is there a chronological account of Arthur William Devis?
The Chronicle of Arthur William Devis is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.
Where can I find statistics about Arthur William Devis's works?
The Stats page of Arthur William Devis presents statistics computed from the artist's artworks listed on this website.
