Signed and dated on the reverse: John Wells / 1950

Hudson Valley Auctioneers, Beacon, New York, January 1, 2024; Private collection, Guadalupita, New Mexico, acquired from the above.

John Wells (1907-2000) Figure, 1950 Oil on board 16 x 12 inches (40.6 x 30.5 cm) Signed and dated on the reverse: John Wells / 1950 PROVENANCE: Hudson Valley Auctioneers, Beacon, New York, January 1, 2024; Private collection, Guadalupita, New Mexico, acquired from the above. John Wells, a British abstract artist, created works in 1950 that resonated strongly with the broader trends and explorations in postwar art, particularly within the context of European abstraction. During this time, the art world was marked by a desire to move beyond pre-war conventions, exploring new forms of expression that could capture both personal introspection and universal ideas. Wells' abstract compositions from 1950 are significant in this climate, as they synthesize influences from constructivism, modernist abstraction, and the organic forms of nature, capturing an era defined by both experimentation and philosophical exploration. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

Presents well. Mild frame abrasion at edges, with a small loss to top layer of board in upper left corner. Yellowing to the varnish layer. Finely patterned craquelure. Scattered small surface abrasions and indentations. Mild surface dirt and dust. Not examined out of frame. Under UV: brushy retouching at edges. Some smaller areas of more finely applied retouching to the figure. Framed Dimensions 20 X 16 Inches