Theodore Earl Butler
WRITING A LETTER, 1908
Oil on canvas
29 x 23 1/4 in
73.7 x 59.1 cm
Available at Surovek Gallery
American artist, Theodore Earl Butler (1861-1936), bridged the gap between French and American Impressionism.
He was, of course, profoundly influenced by his father-in-law, Claude Monet, but Butler developed his own style and his own bold use of colors.
Like his father-in-law, Butler painted landscapes and portraits of his friends and family. Writing a Letter, 1908, available at Surovek Gallery, is a fine example of the palette and texture that Butter was able to capture in his work.
Butler's works are highly regarded in both France and America, and have been recently added to the permanent collections of the Denver Art Museum and the Giverny Museum of Impressionism.
Milton Avery (1885-1965), like Theodore Earl Butler, had a profound effect on American art; but unlike Butler, whose style influenced other artists, it was Avery’s calm and serene demeanor, his understanding and encouragement, that inspired younger artists. Up-and-coming artists like Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb often visited Avery's New York apartment, and were influenced by Avery’s simple forms and bold colors.
Man and Sea, 1948, a watercolor, available at Surovek Gallery, exemplifies Avery’s ability to use vivid colors and still create a feeling of serenity.
Julian Opie’s works, that focus on movement, have such a universal appeal that they are in prominent public collections around the world.
“I’ve been looking at walking people out on the street for a long time.” he said, “I’ve also dealt with people dancing because it’s a different human movement. I dealt with people running, both normal people like you and me for the bus and athletes running.”
His current show, at the Lisson Gallery in New York through April 19, combines his moving works and deceptively simply paintings.
Opie combines technology and a variety of media to create his work. The Street #2, 2020, available at Surovek Gallery, depicts laser cut figures that allow the viewer to observe what the artist saw when he studied people moving.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the work of Theodore Earl Butler, Milton Avery and Julian Opie available at Surovek Gallery.
References:
Julie Demarle. Four new American Impressionist paintings for Giverny. La Tribune de l’Art. September 13, 2023.
Elisa Carollo. Julian Opie’s Figures Walk Between Individuality and Universal Humanity. The Observer. February 25, 2025.
Laura Cumming. Milton Avery: American Colourist review - pure, exhilarating uplift. The Observer. June 17, 2022.
Elisa Carollo. Julian Opie’s Figures Walk Between Individuality and Universal Humanity. The Observer. February 25, 2025.
