Cady Wells: A Modernist's Soulful Vision of the New Mexico Landscape

Santa Fe has long been a magnet for artists seeking to capture its unique spirit, but few brought as distinct and introspective a modernist vision to its landscapes as Cady Wells. A man of complex sensitivities, diverse influences, and profound connection to the New Mexico terrain, Wells translated his experiences and the essence of the land into evocative watercolors that remain compelling contributions to American modernism.

Born Henry Cady Wells in Southbridge, Massachusetts, on November 15, 1904, into an affluent New England family (his father was president of the American Optical Company and a founder of Old Sturbridge Village), his early life was one of cultural privilege. Initially, Wells pursued music, training as a concert pianist, and later explored stage design with noted figures like Joseph Urban and Norman Bel Geddes. A rebellious spirit, he reportedly dropped out of five boarding schools. His first encounter with the Southwest came in 1922 when his father sent him to the Evans Ranch School in Arizona. The desert landscape captivated him, and he began to paint.

It wasn't until his late twenties, around 1932, that Wells fully committed to painting as his career. He accepted an invitation from artist E. Boyd and her husband to come to Santa Fe, New Mexico. This move was pivotal. He soon began working with and was mentored by the influential modernist painter Andrew Dasburg. Wells immersed himself in the New Mexico landscape, not just observing it but walking it, studying its forms, and collecting natural elements like driftwood and river rocks. His artistic development was also shaped by his travels, particularly a trip to Japan in 1935 where he studied Japanese and Chinese philosophies and brush techniques, which influenced his calligraphic lines. He also drew inspiration from artists like Georgia O'Keeffe (who considered him one of the best painters in their region), Raymond Jonson, and Mark Tobey.

Wells's art career was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, where his work involved topographic maps—an experience that would later subtly inform his art. He did not paint again until his return to New Mexico in 1945. After the war, he restored an old Spanish home in Jacona, about twenty miles north of Santa Fe, which became a place of renowned hospitality. Wells was known for his wit, generosity, and keen intellect, becoming a significant figure in the social and artistic circles of both Taos and Santa Fe. He was a patron of the arts, served on the board of Santa Fe's School for Advanced Research, and helped found the Jonson Gallery in Albuquerque. Tragically, Cady Wells died young, of a heart attack, on November 5, 1954, just shy of his 50th birthday.

Why Cady Wells is a Must-Know Figure in Santa Fe:

Cady Wells holds a unique and important place in the artistic heritage of Santa Fe and American modernism.

• Innovative Modernist Vision: Wells was one of the most innovative modern artists working in the Taos and Santa Fe art colonies. He pushed the boundaries of watercolor, developing a personal, semi-abstract style that synthesized European modernist ideas with the spirit and forms of the American Southwest.
• Deeply Personal Landscapes: His paintings were not mere representations but profound, often psychologically charged, interpretations of the New Mexico landscape. He aimed to get "under the skin" of the desert and mountains, conveying their mystery, drama, and spiritual essence.
• Bridge Between Cultures: Wells's work often incorporated diverse influences, from the gestural, calligraphic lines of Asian art to the religious iconography of New Mexico's Spanish Colonial traditions (he was an avid collector of santos) and the aesthetics of European modernism.
• Influence and Patronage: As a student of Andrew Dasburg and a friend of Georgia O'Keeffe, he was deeply embedded in the modernist dialogue of the region. Furthermore, his patronage, including his significant donation of his extensive collection of santos to the Museum of New Mexico (which led to the establishment of a separate department for Spanish colonial art with E. Boyd as its first curator, at his recommendation), had a lasting impact on the state's cultural institutions.
• Haunting Post-War Expression: His later works, created after his WWII service and in the shadow of the atomic experiments at nearby Los Alamos, carry a particular poignancy and depth, reflecting the anxieties of the era and a profound engagement with the land.

5 Things Most People Don't Know About Cady Wells:

1. From Concert Pianist to Painter: Before dedicating himself to visual art, Cady Wells trained seriously as a concert pianist and also explored stage design with prominent designers of the era.
2. Family Rebel: Despite his privileged upbringing, Wells was considered a "family rebel," dropping out of multiple boarding schools and initially struggling to find his path before embracing the Southwest and his artistic calling.
3. WWII Cartographer: During his service in the U.S. Army in World War II, Wells worked with topographic maps, an experience with landscape representation that subtly influenced his post-war artistic compositions.
4. Georgia O'Keeffe's High Praise: Georgia O'Keeffe, a notoriously discerning critic, once wrote in an exhibition catalog, "I think we [Wells and O'Keeffe] are the two best painters working in our part of the country. I think we both love that country more than most people love any place."  
5. A "Johnny Appleseed of Tortoises": Known for his eccentric generosity, Wells once gifted a desert tortoise named Monica to the legendary Marshal South family (who lived a primitive lifestyle on Ghost Mountain in California). He reportedly also gave a tortoise to his friend Dorothy McKibben (who worked at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project), which she humorously used to serve drinks at parties.

Cady Wells's life, though tragically short, was one of intense artistic exploration and contribution. His unique modernist interpretations of the New Mexico landscape continue to fascinate and resonate, securing his place as a significant and distinctive voice in Santa Fe's rich art history.

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