William Atkinson Page Wells was born in Glasgow but went to London
to study, at the Slade School of Art. He returned to
Glasgow after his training, but only for a brief period. Financial
pressure soon forced him to take up a post as a theatrical scene
painter in Lancashire. He eventually settled in
Devon where he painted Devonshire scenes of which this is a
typical example with its vast sky and midday sun shining on a
group of small figures set in a wide open space.