Theodore Earl Butler was an American painter associated with the Impressionist movement. Born in 1861 in Columbus, Ohio, Butler initially pursued a career in law before heeding his artistic calling and moving to Paris in 1888 to study painting at the Académie Julian. In Paris, he became closely associated with the circle of Impressionist painters, particularly Claude Monet, who would later become his father-in-law.
His early works were heavily influenced by the Impressionist style, characterized by loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and an emphasis on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. He often painted scenes of everyday life, landscapes, and portraits, employing techniques such as plein air painting to capture the transient effects of natural light.
Butler's works continue to be appreciated for their luminous quality and intimate portrayal of everyday life. Theodore Earl Butler passed away in 1936, leaving behind a legacy as an important figure in the transatlantic exchange of Impressionist ideas and techniques.
Maxwell Galleries Ltd., San Francisco
Private Collection
Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco and Los Angeles, 10 December 1997
Vance Jordan Fine Art Inc., New York
Sotheby's NY March 2024