Never Too Late to Mend, oil on mahogany panel, 12" x 9", s.l.r. "J. Wells Champney," label reads "Never Too Late to Mend" and pencil inscription verso indicates catalog #36.

Born in Boston, July 16,1843. Known for genre paintings. Distant cousin of landscapist Benjamin Champney. Studied in Paris, with Edouard Frere in 1866, and at Antwerp Academy, 1868. Returned and opened his studio in Boston. Settled in Deerfield, MA, 1876. Professor of Art, Smith College, 1877-1884. Also taught at Hartford (CT) Society of Decorative Art, 1878-1885. After 1880, worked almost entirely in pastel.

Member: National Academy, 1892; American Watercolor Society; Boston Art Club; Boston Watercolor Club; National Arts Club; Century Association; and American Fine Arts Society.

Exhibited: Paris Salon, 1869; 40 pastels at Knoedler Gallery, 1897.

In the collection of: Boston Museum of Fine Arts; Deerfield Academy; Phoenix Art Museum; Litchfield Historical Society; The Corcoran Gallery; Georgia Museum of Art; Spencer Museum of Art; Smith College Museum of Art; The Newark Museum; Arnot Art Museum; and Robert Hull Fleming Museum.

Died May 1, 1903, falling down an elevator shaft at Camera Club.