Joseph Clinton Devillis

Joseph Clinton Devillis (aka De Villis) (1878–1912) was an African American artist[1] from Brooklyn, New York who primarily painted landscapes and seascapes.

Joseph Clinton Devillis
Born1878
Brooklyn, New York
Died1912(1912-00-00) (aged 33–34)
NationalityAmerican
EducationAdelphi University
Spouse(s)Grace Devillis
Cabin and Mountain Scene by Joseph Clinton Devillis

Devillis enlisted in the United States Navy in 1894 (with pad and pencils in hand).[2] Upon visiting Europe he used his shore leave to study the masterpieces in the Louvre, Luxembourg and the galleries of London.[3] An Apprentice First Class on Dewey's USS Olympia, in 1898 he was a signal man at the Battle of Manila Bay.[4]

In 1901 he left the Navy and returned to New York where he was one of few African American Art students in New York at the time.[5] He studied at the Adelphi College between 1907 and 1912, joining the Adelphi Sketch Club.[2]

Devillis was also an active member of the Nazarene Congregational Church in Brooklyn where he was a Deacon and the Treasurer.[2] He died of pneumonia in 1912 at the age of 33.[2] His work was posthumously displayed at the New York Public Library in 1921 and formed part of the A.A. Schomburg Collection there.[6]

References
  1. Harris, J "Joseph Clinton Devillis: A Brief But Remarkable Life in Art" International Review of African American Art v. 17, no. 3
  2. Goodman, MH., "Joseph Clinton De Villis: Seaman, Artist, Churchman", (1978) Negro History Bulletin 41
  3. Thompson, WO., "Collins and Devillis - Two Promising Painters", (1905) Voice of the Negro 2
  4. Galt, W ., The Battle of Manila Bay, May First, Eighteen Hundred & Nintety-Eight – An Epic Poem. (1904) Norfolk, VA.
  5. Guzman, J P., Negro Year Book: a Review of Events Affecting Negro Life, 1941-1946. 1947, Tukegee Institute.
  6. Cederhom, T D., Afro-American Artists; a Bio-Bibliographical Directory. 1973, Trustees of the Boston Public Library, Boston


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