Theodore Earl Butler (American 1861 – 1936) was an American Impressionist painter renowned for his vibrant landscapes and evocative depictions of daily life in France. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Butler studied at Marietta College before moving to New York to attend the Art Students League. His artistic journey took a pivotal turn when he traveled to Paris in the late 1880s, immersing himself in the city’s thriving art scene and studying under prominent instructors at the Académie Julian.

Butler became closely associated with the Giverny art colony, where he developed friendships with Claude Monet and other influential Impressionists. His marriage to Monet’s stepdaughter, Suzanne Hoschedé, further deepened his ties to the French Impressionist movement.

Butler’s work is characterized by a delicate use of color, expressive brushwork, and an ability to capture the fleeting effects of light on the landscape. He often painted scenes of the Seine, rural villages, and portraits, blending American sensibilities with French Impressionist techniques. Throughout his career, Butler exhibited in both Europe and the United States, earning critical acclaim and contributing to the cross-cultural exchange between American and French artists. His legacy endures through his paintings, which are held in major collections and appreciated for their lyrical beauty and technical mastery.