Wells, Cady, 1904-1954

Painter; Santa Fe, N.M.

From the description of Cady Wells papers, 1913-1968. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82223563

Wells was a noted artist who spent most of his career in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

From the description of Cady Wells collection, 1940-1970. (Museum of New Mexico Library). WorldCat record id: 37497630

Henry Cady Wells was born November 15, 1904 into a wealthy family in Massachusetts. He received a private education, was artistically inclined, but had trouble deciding on a direction. He spent time in the Western United States. Impressed with the landscapes, Wells decided to settle in the West and capture his impressions on canvas.

With his brother Mason, Wells bought an old adobe home in Jacona, New Mexico. It was then remodeled and restored under the direction of John Gaw Meem. He collected Spanish Colonial art including santos, bultos and retablos, most of which he later donated to the Museum of New Mexico. Wells was well known along the Espanola Valley for his philanthropy, giving money to needy families and supplies and scholarships to struggling artists.

From the guide to the Cady Wells Photograph Collection, 1940-1960, (University of New Mexico, Center for Southwest Research)