Mid-Century Jane Wells “Costa Brava, Spain” Framed Studio Artist Painting, Signed

Details

Description

Signed bottom left “J. Wells”
Verso: Signature again on back left of the wooden back edge of frame (note, this … Read more Signed bottom left “J. Wells”
Verso: Signature again on back left of the wooden back edge of frame (note, this reads “J. Wells” and is distinct from the other pencil marking title on the back of canvas)

The painting has several attractive qualities:
A restrained earth-tone palette.
Strong contrast between the dark-clad figure and the pale architecture.
The fishing net serves as the compositional focal point.
The red boat adds a vivid accent and balances the otherwise muted colors.

The subject matter falls into the tradition of Mediterranean genre painting—depicting everyday working life rather than dramatic landscapes or portraits.

Dimensions:
Canvas artwork; 18 x 14
21in. x 17in. framed
Note: Damage to canvas outstretched.

On the verso of an original painting by Jane Wells, titled or depicting Costa Brava, Spain.
Artist: Jane Wells (signed on the copyright label).

Subject/Location: "Costa Brava, Spain" is handwritten on the canvas. Copyright Label: It cites "Chapter 668, L. 1966 Gen. Bus. Law Article 12-E," which is a New York State law that protects an artist's reproduction rights after the sale of a work.

Production Era (Post-1966): The label references "Chapter 668, L.1966 Gen. Bus. Law Article 12-E". This is a specific ⁠New York General Business Law statute passed in 1966. The law ensured that an artist automatically retained the reproduction rights to their artwork unless explicitly transferred in writing. This legal stamp confirms that the painting was created, framed, or sold in New York during or after 1966.

Materials: The wood stretcher bars are stamped with "M. GRUMBACHER NEW YORK". ⁠Grumbacher is a famous American art supply brand headquartered in New York, commonly used by mid-century American artists.

Materials: The canvas is mounted on a wooden stretcher frame, which is stamped with "Grumbacher," a well-known American art supply manufacturer. The presence of the 1966 law citation suggests the piece was likely sold or created in the late 1960s.

Medium: The medium is either a thick oil paint or a early polymer acrylic (acrylic paints grew massively in popularity among American artists right around the mid-1960s). It is more than likely the latter, due to the thick acrylic-like blending of the sky colors.

This folk art painting is signed J. Wells (Jane Wells) and is titled "Costa Brava, Spain."

Artistic Style and Subject
This artwork is a classic example of folk art, characterized by simplified forms, a flat perspective, and a focus on everyday laborers. The composition strongly resembles the style of renowned Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, particularly her depictions of coastal life and fishermen. This piece reflects a similar aesthetic of 20th-century regional art. Such works are often valued for their charm and regional historical depictions.

Subject: A seated woman, likely a fisherwoman, is shown meticulously mending a fishing net.

Composition: Behind her are red "doris" (small boats) and white coastal buildings characteristic of the Mediterranean shoreline.

Medium: It appears to be an oil or an aforementioned early acrylic painting on canvas or board, common for this genre. The painting retains its original artist copyright label which supports authenticity and provenance.

Costa Brava is a famous coastal region in northeastern Spain, in Costa Brava, known for its fishing villages, beaches, and Mediterranean architecture. The subject of your painting—a woman mending fishing nets beside boats and waterfront buildings—is exactly the kind of scene associated with traditional Costa Brava fishing communities.

Figurative scenes, like this one of a person mending a net in Costa Brava, are highly sought after by collectors of Mediterranean themes. See less