Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Devis, Arthur (1711?-1787)
DEVIS, ARTHUR (1711?–1787), portrait-painter, was born about 1711 at Preston in Lancashire, and was a pupil of Peter Tillemans. He exhibited at the Free Society of Artists twenty works, chiefly portraits, between 1762 and 1780. He also was employed to restore Sir James Thornhill's paintings in the hall at Greenwich, for which he received 1,000l. He died at Brighton 24 July 1787. When residing in London his address was Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. There is a print by Chamber from a picture painted by Devis; it represents a whole-length portrait of Miss Conyers of Copthall, Essex. She is represented sitting at the mouth of a cave and playing on a guitar. In 1763 he exhibited at the Free Society of Artists ‘A Family, with a view of the Gentleman's House,’ ‘A Gentleman's Portrait,’ and ‘Two Young Ladies, with Grapes, &c., in a landscape.’ In 1767 he sent ‘A Lady, whole length,’ ‘A Gentleman on Horseback,’ and ‘A Small Portrait.’ In 1768 ‘a portrait, three-quarters, a new species of painting.’
[Redgrave's Dict. of English Artists.]