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Arthur Devis

1711–1787

Breaking-Up Day at Dr Clayton’s School at Salford c.1738
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In Tate Britain

Historic and Modern British Art

Biography

Arthur Devis (19 February 1712 – 25 July 1787) was an English artist whose father, Anthony, was progenitor of what became a family dynasty of painters and writers. The place of Arthur Devis in art history is generally as painter of the type of portrait now called a conversation piece. After moving to London and apprenticeship to a Flemish topographical artist there, he switched to portraiture and acquired a considerable reputation, although this success did not last. Unable to adapt to later fashionable artistic currents, his commissions declined and his work was largely forgotten after his death until the 20th century revival of interest in the conversation piece.

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Conversation piece

Artworks

  • Portrait of a Lady

    Arthur Devis
    c.1750–1
  • Portrait of a Man

    Arthur Devis
    c.1750
    On display at Tate Britain part of Historic and Modern British Art
  • The James Family

    Arthur Devis
    1751
  • A Lady in Blue

    Arthur Devis
    1757
  • Breaking-Up Day at Dr Clayton’s School at Salford

    Arthur Devis
    c.1738

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    The Case of the Missing Painting

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