Arthur William Devis

Arthur William Devis (10 August 1762 – 11 February 1822) was an English painter of history paintings and portraits.

He was appointed draughtsman on the British East India Company's packet Antelope in a voyage in 1783, under Captain Henry Wilson.

During his voyages, the artist received arrow wounds, one of which inflicted permanent injury on his lower jaw.

In 1794 Devis made what was considered an unwise marriage to an actress Anna Maria Coombes.

[3] He was back in London by 1795 and is recorded on 21 July 1797 as living at 27 George Street, Hanover Square, where he was insured by the Sun Assurance Office.

[4] His first wife Mrs Coombes travelled from India to Lisbon, then Paris and finally to Verdun where she died in a debtors prison in 1805.