Anthony Devis
Encyclopedia
Anthony Devis was an English landscape painter
.
Anthony Devis was born in Preston, Lancashire
. His father's name was also Anthony Devis, who was a carpenter and town councillor in the town. Anthony junior was the older of two sons of his father's second marriage, to Anne Blackburne. His father also had two sons by his first marriage, to Ellin Rauthmell, the older of whom was the portrait painter
Arthur Devis. He did not marry.
In the 1742 Preston Guild Roll he was described as being a painter in London, but no work by him has been dated before 1760. Between 1760 and 1780 he produced many landscape paintings, mainly for landowners in Northern England. He exhibited paintings at the Free Society of Artists
in 1761 and 1763, and at the Royal Academy
in 1772 and 1781. Most of his paintings were topographical (of specific places), although later in his career he did produce some idealised views containing classical features. In 1780 he retired to Albury House near Guildford
, Surrey
where he made a collection of paintings and curios. He also built a painting-room on a hill near Albury
. Devis died in 1816 and was buried at Albury Old Church
.
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
.
Anthony Devis was born in Preston, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. His father's name was also Anthony Devis, who was a carpenter and town councillor in the town. Anthony junior was the older of two sons of his father's second marriage, to Anne Blackburne. His father also had two sons by his first marriage, to Ellin Rauthmell, the older of whom was the portrait painter
Portrait painting
Portrait painting is a genre in painting, where the intent is to depict the visual appearance of the subject. Beside human beings, animals, pets and even inanimate objects can be chosen as the subject for a portrait...
Arthur Devis. He did not marry.
In the 1742 Preston Guild Roll he was described as being a painter in London, but no work by him has been dated before 1760. Between 1760 and 1780 he produced many landscape paintings, mainly for landowners in Northern England. He exhibited paintings at the Free Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
in 1761 and 1763, and at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1772 and 1781. Most of his paintings were topographical (of specific places), although later in his career he did produce some idealised views containing classical features. In 1780 he retired to Albury House near Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
where he made a collection of paintings and curios. He also built a painting-room on a hill near Albury
Albury, Surrey
Albury is a village and civil parish in the borough of Guildford in Surrey, England, about south-east of Guildford town centre. The village is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Site of Special Scientific Interest....
. Devis died in 1816 and was buried at Albury Old Church
Old St Peter and St Paul's Church, Albury
Old St Peter and St Paul's Church, Albury, is a redundant Anglican church near the village of Albury, Surrey, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust...
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