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.
Perguntas e Respostas
A qual período histórico pertence a obra de Arthur William Devis?
Arthur William Devis atuou no período Early Modern. Este período situa a atividade do artista na história.
Onde as obras de Arthur William Devis estão agrupadas por técnica?
Para encontrar todas as obras de Arthur William Devis por técnica, acesse a página de Por Técnica do artista.
Que sentimentos as obras de Arthur William Devis expressam?
A página de Coleção por Humor do artista apresenta as obras de Arthur William Devis organizadas por sua atmosfera.
Posso navegar pelas obras de Arthur William Devis por paleta de cores?
As obras de Arthur William Devis podem ser exploradas por paleta de cores na página de Por paleta de cores do artista.
