Original New Mexico Adobe Oil Painting by L. Youmans

Vintage New Mexico Adobe Oil Painting by L. Youmans – San Francisco de Asís Mission Church (Ranchos de Taos, NM) Up for auction is an authentic, highly collectible vintage Southwestern oil painting by listed regionalist artist L. Youmans. This striking piece features the world-famous San Francisco de Asís Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico—an iconic 18th-century Spanish Colonial adobe structure famously immortalized by artistic legends like Georgia O'Keeffe and photographer Ansel Adams. About the Artist & Style L. Youmans was an independent mid-century American painter active during the post-war Southwestern art boom (circa 1950s–1970s). Artists of this era flocked to the historic art colonies of Taos and Santa Fe, capturing New Mexico's distinct light and heritage architecture. Rather than standard commercial tourist art, Youmans’ work represents authentic Southwestern Regionalism / Mid-Century Folk Art. In this composition, the artist uses a bold, graphic perspective, looking through an open archway in the outer adobe courtyard wall to dynamically frame the church’s prominent twin bell towers and central entryway. Notably, Youmans employs a heavy, tactile impasto technique—applying thick layers of paint to brilliantly mimic the rustic, organic texture of mud-and-straw adobe walls. This rich texture creates a stunning visual contrast against the flat, solid, vivid blue desert sky. The painting comes beautifully preserved in its original, era-correct tiered natural wood frame with stylized, interlocking corner joints that perfectly anchor its regionalist charm. Item Details • Artist: L. Youmans (Hand-signed lower-left) • Subject: San Francisco de Asís Mission Church (Ranchos de Taos Plaza, NM) • Medium: Oil on board • Style: Mid-Century Southwestern Regionalism / Folk Art • Dimensions: 11" x 13" (Total size including frame) • Frame: Original, custom vintage tiered natural wood frame with distinct corner craftsmanship • Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The paint layers are completely stable with the thick impasto texture beautifully intact. The frame shows only minor, age-appropriate surface patina that adds to its authentic mid-century character Nearest intersection Yonge Street and Stelees Avenue