Charles Wheeler (painter)

Charles Wheeler (1903-1977) was an American painter known for his Regionalist-influenced landscapes and depictions of rural life, particularly in the American Midwest. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he received his formal art training at the Yale School of Fine Arts, where he studied under artists such as Eugene Savage and Edwin Taylor.

Wheeler's work often captured scenes of farms, fields, small towns, and the changing seasons, executed in a realistic style with a focus on detail and atmospheric perspective. He was particularly adept at portraying the effects of light and shadow on the landscape. While not strictly adhering to the Social Realist movement, his paintings sometimes hinted at the hardships and simple beauty of rural existence during the Depression era and beyond.

He exhibited his work widely throughout the United States, including at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the National Academy of Design. His paintings are held in numerous public and private collections. While his name isn't as widely recognized as some of the major figures of American Regionalism, Charles Wheeler made a significant contribution to the artistic documentation of the American heartland. His commitment to portraying the realities of rural life through a blend of realism and emotional resonance solidified his place in American art history.