Artwork

Richard Moreton, Esq. of Tackley with His Nephew and Niece John and Susanna Weyland

Richard Moreton, Esq. of Tackley with His Nephew and Niece John and Susanna Weyland is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Arthur Devis. It dates from 1757 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute. Created in 1757, this oil painting presents Richard Moreton, Esq.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1757, this oil painting presents Richard Moreton, Esq. of Tackley together with his nephew John and niece Susanna Weyland. The three figures are arranged in a relaxed grouping, typical of the mid‑18th‑century conversation piece, and are set within an open, park‑like landscape that includes trees and a gently flowing stream.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a gentleman in a blue coat and red vest, holds a book, suggesting education or status, while the children accompany him—John with a fishing rod and Susanna with a basket—evoking leisure and familial affection. The composition conveys a tranquil domestic scene that highlights the bond between the elder and his younger relatives.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects the Rococo taste for soft coloration and delicate lighting. Devis employs a harmonious palette of blues, reds, and pastel tones, and his handling of light creates a subtle sense of depth, allowing the figures to emerge gently from the surrounding foliage.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by Arthur Devis, a London‑based artist noted for his small‑scale group portraits. Devis, who came from a family of painters and writers, enjoyed a steady flow of commissions for such works until shifting artistic fashions later reduced his demand. The painting remains a representative example of his middle‑career output.

Artist & collection

Artist

Arthur Devis

Arthur Devis (19 February 1712 – 25 July 1787) was an English painter whose father, Anthony, was progenitor of what became a family dynasty of painters and writers.