Arthur Devis (1712 - 1787)

Arthur Kay, F.S.A., Glasgow (as Hogarth);
Mrs. Alfred Morrison;
By whom sold, London, Christie’s, 19 November 1920, lot 71 (as Arthur William Devis);
Captain Stanley Wilson, London, by 1921;
With Knoedler & Co., New York in 1921;
From whom acquired by D.H. Farr, Philadelphia in 1921;
Hon. Jesse Isidor Strauss (1872-1936), by 1935;
Thence by descent to his widow, Mrs. Irma N. Strauss (1936-1958);
By whose Estate sold, New York, Parke Bernet Galleries, 22 October 1970, lot 97 (as Arthur William Devis);
There acquired by a private collector;
Thence by descent in the present family.

E D’Oench, Arthur Devis (1712-1787): Master of the Georgian Conversation Piece, unpublished PhD Thesis 1979, vol. I, p. 485, cat. no. 245;
S. Pavière, Art News, vol. 34, November 1935, p. 4, reproduced (as "The Wife and Children of Commodore Jenks").

The canvas is relined and appears slightly pressed as a result. Overall, a charming image reads well underneath an old varnish. Craquelure is visible, particularly on the lighter colors, such as the flesh of the figures, the clouds in the sky, and the silver gown the lady wears. What appears to be a very small and thin scuff mark of about 1 in. is at the bottom left of the canvas near the child that flies a kite, but this is not too distracting. Overall, there is some thinness to the paint, particularly by the boy's head and lady's hair. Inspection under UV shows some scattered spots of retouching on the foreground, along the left edge, and on some of the brown hues, such as the trunk of the tree. There appears to be some finely applied retouches of paint, most likely to address old craquelure, visible under UV on the center of the canvas, particularly on the figures and green colors on the foreground. The painting is offered in a carved, gilded wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.