Theodore Earl Butler Essay

Theodore Earl Butler (1861-1936) was best known for his work during the American Impressionism movement. He was famous for his paintings, specifically watercolor. In 1861, Butler was born in Columbus, Ohio, where his father was a wealthy businessman. But unlike his father, Butler was not interested in a business career. After graduating from Marietta College in 1882, he moved to New York to study at the Art Students League from 1884 to 1886. Later, he moved to Paris to study at the Académie Julian, the Académie Colarossi, and the Académie de la Grande Chaumier. He then studied privately with Carolus Duran in 1888. That same year, Butler won an honorable mention at the Paris Salon for his painting "La Veuve" (the Widow). He also traveled to

From the time of this marriage and after the birth of his 2 children, Butler concentrated on domestic subjects, painted indoors or in his garden, describing the daily life of his family. After dealing with a lingering illness, Butler’s wife died in 1899. Within the next year, he married Suzanna’s sister, Marthe, who cared for Butler’s 2 children. In 1914, Theodore Butler and his family moved to New York when Butler received a commission to paint mural panels for the home of William Paine, an American businessman who co-founded the brokerage firm, Paine Webber. Butler contributed two paintings to the 1913 Armory Show, a groundbreaking display of international modernist art in New York City (Marine and Fourteenth of July, Paris). Butler was active among progressive art circles, exhibiting in the Armory Show. With John Sloan, he founded the Society of Independent Artists, an association of American artists, and served on its board from 1918 to 1921. The breakout of World War I prevented Butler from returning to Giverny until 1921. During that time, however, Butler became involved with the American Red Cross and raised funds with his wife, Marthe. He marked that occasion with a painting titled “All