(1712 - 1787)
Arthur Devis was born in Preston, Lancashire, and became a pupil of Pieter Tillemans, well known painter of sporting scenes. By 1745, Devis was enjoying a successful practice as a portrait painter of small scale works, probably both in Lancashire and London. He exhibited at the Free Society of Artists from 1761 to 1775 and in 1780, and became its President. In later years he began to paint on glass. He died in Brighton in July 1787. Arthur Devis had a half-brother, Anthony, and two sons, Arthur William and Thomas Anthony, all of whom became artists.