I have discovered an artist named Newton Wells who died in Algeria while painting and I have been looking for his work in the collections of the Smithsonian.
From what I can find out through old articles, Newton was a muralist that painted all over the world. He even painted entire hotel lobbies....http://books.google.com/books?id=ADHNERXVh-gC&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=newton+wells+artist&source=bl&ots=_Nng3NZ16I&sig=Q1ipI3FQH_SgOt-u72WJamjPwRE#PPA124,M1
The Desoto County Court House has murals done by Wells. I wonder if they know he died in Algeria. Apparently Wells also developed over 430 hues and influenced the development of turn of the century Chicago Murals.
A note from one of his family on www.ancestry.com
Some adjustments are in order: Alonzo was born in Oct. 1823 in Bridport,
Vermont and the family moved the next year, 1824, to Brandon, NY
(very near Malone). Alonzo was a circuit Methodist minister and preached
in Northern NY for over 50 years. His wife, Newton's mother, Julia Angeline Cargin,
was b. Mar. 9, 1824 in Constable, NY and died April 26, 1886 in Constable, NY.
Newton died in Algeria on Jan. 10, 1923, and, we assume, that he was buried
there.
I wonder where he was buried in Algeria, how he ended up there and where he is right now?
Well I just found the obituary of his wife and it says that he died sketching arab tribes and was living at the time with his wife in Algeria. She returned to the US and ended up passing away in 1923
Born: Lisbon, New York 1852
Died: Algeria 1923
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This is my great-great grandfather and I have several of his works.
ReplyDeleteI have a work signed Newton A. Wells. It is a picture of a man in sea farer's hat (I believe). It is framed. I was wondering if you wanted another picture for your collection. Or is there a place that you know of that would be interested in purchasing this picture. Thank you. My e-mail is juanitabopp@aol.com.
DeleteI also ahve a work signed by Wells - An Old Salt. IF you are interested email me tfz_ks@yahoo.com
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