Members of the Maynard Family in the Park at Waltons

c. 1755/1762

Arthur Devis

Associated Names
Arthur Devis

Artist, British, 1712 - 1787

The painting depicts two women and two children. In the center, a woman sits on a bench, her body facing us and her head turned to the right. She plays a lute-like instrument. Her brown hair is styled with a ribbon, and her attire consists of a blue gown with ruffles. A hat with a blue ribbon hangs next to her on the bench. On the right, a child in a white dress stands next to a woman in a red dress adorned with lace, who is seated on a low bench. Her hair is styled beneath a lace cap, and a hat with a red ribbon is on the bench to the right. On the ground between the women is a small black hat. On the left is another child with short hair, wearing a white dress with blue underskirts and red shoes. This child faces the right, walking towards the group, holding a tall flower, with more flowers gathered in their skirts. All of the people have pale skin and brown hair. The background is a landscape with green grass, tall trees, and grazing brown cows. In the distance on the right, a red-brick mansion is partially obscured by trees. The sky above is light blue.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Paul Mellon Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 138.5 x 195.6 cm (54 1/2 x 77 in.)
    framed: 158.8 x 217.2 x 7 cm (62 1/2 x 85 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1964.2.4

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Painted for Sir William Maynard, 4th bt. [1721-1772], Waltons, Ashdon, Essex; by descent to Frances, Countess of Warwick,[1] who offered it as property of the Maynard Collection at (sale, Sotheby's, London, 21 November 1934, no. 34, bought in); offered again, as property of the late Frances, Countess of Warwick, and of the Hon. Maynard and Mrs. Greville at (sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 28 May 1948, no. 25), bought by Hemming. Walter Hutchinson, London; (sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 20 July 1951, no. 87, bought in); (sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 7 October 1955, no. 24); purchased by (Betts) for (Montague Bernard), who sold it to (Ackermann), from whom it was purchased 1960 by Paul Mellon, Upperville, Virginia; gift 1964 to NGA.
[1] She was the elder daughter and co-heir of Col. the Hon. Charles Henry Maynard, son of the 3rd and last Viscount Maynard [1786-1865].

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1949

  • The First 618 Selected Pictures, National Gallery of Sports and Pastimes, London, n.d. [1949], no. 14.

1964

  • Extended loan for use by Ambassador David K.E. Bruce, U.S. Embassy residence, London, England, 1964-1969 (on loan to Embassy when given to NGA; lent prior to 1964 by Paul Mellon).

1969

  • Extended loan for use by Ambassador John S.D. Eisenhower, U.S. Embassy residence, Brussels, Belgium, 1969-1972.

1980

  • The Conversation Piece: Arthur Devis & His Contemporaries, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, 1980, no. 38, repro. (cat. by Ellen G. D'Oench).

1986

  • Gifts to the Nation: Selected Acquisitions from the Collections of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1986, unnumbered checklist

Bibliography

1950

  • Pavière, Sydney H. The Devis Family of Painters. Leigh-on-Sea, 1950: 34, no. 141.

1965

  • Summary Catalogue of European Paintings and Sculpture. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1965: 41, as Conversation Piece, Ashdon House.

1968

  • National Gallery of Art. European Paintings and Sculpture, Illustrations. Washington, 1968: 34, repro., as Conversation Piece, Ashdon House.

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 106, repro., as Conversation Piece, Ashdon House.

  • Walker, John. National Gallery of Art, Washington. New York, 1975: no. 518, color repro.

1979

  • Harris, John. The Artist and the Country House. London, 1979: no. 234.

1984

  • Walker, John. National Gallery of Art, Washington. Rev. ed. New York, 1984: 365, no. 512, color repro., as Conversation Piece, Asdon House.

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 129, repro.

1992

  • Hayes, John. British Paintings of the Sixteenth through Nineteenth Centuries. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 1992: 57-60, repro. 59.

Wikidata ID

Q20178116

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