his large and highly important example of the artist’s genre painting can be regarded as one of his major works. Painted in 1910 it was exhibited in London the following year at the Royal Academy. As it was one of only seven paintings that Wells showed at the Royal Academy from 1905-1941, its importance is clear. An interesting side note is the presence of an outstanding late seventeenth century ‘Sunderland’ style frame, hand carved and gilded, obviously chosen by the artist to enhance the beauty of his work.
Edward Francis Wells was born in Calcutta, India in 1876 the son of the engineer, William Howley Wells. As a young man he left for England and enrolled at the Slade School of Art before completing his studies at the Royal Academy. In 1899 he won the prestigious Creswick Prize which provided him with a scholarship enabling him to travel to Italy, Corsica and Switzerland. He returned to London in 1901 and commenced his career as a painter of both figure subjects and portraits. It is as a portraitist for which he is best remembered and indeed it was his portraits that were to provide him with a very comfortable living. Keenly sought by members of Britain’s intelligentsia his sitters included Sir George Beaumont, Sir Bernard Mallet and Sir William Gavin. Although the bulk of his work was painted on direct commission he did exhibit his work regularly including paintings shown at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Walker Gallery and thirty-three pieces at the Dudley Gallery in London.
Lit; Johnson & Greutzner
Stewart & Cutten
Royal Academy Exhibitors List