Anthony Devas A.R.A 1911-1958. British School Early 20th Century. Oil on canvas Circa.1935. Study of the artist's wife Nicolette Macnamara resting. 55 by 40 cms. Image. 73 by 58 cms. Framed overall. Provenance: Ex. Michael Parkin Fine Art, Private collection UK. Exhibited Cooling Gallery New Bond Street.
Thomas Anthony Devas entered the Slade School at the age of 16 studying alongside Rodrigo Moynihan, William Coldstream, and Robin Darwin. In 1931 he married his fellow student Nicolette Macnamara, whose sister Caitlin would later marry Dylan Thomas. Through the Macnamara sisters Devas met, and was greatly influenced by Augustus John. He was a highly successful society portrait painter, becoming a member of the New English Art Club and in 1945 was elected to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and an A.R.A in 1953. He died at the relatively young age of 47. His epitaph reads "He was a rare man"