Anna Catherine Wiley (TN, 1879-1958) oil on canvas landscape depicting an autumnal meadow with a large tree with orange foliage and a figure in the middle ground. Set beneath a partly cloudy, atmospheric sky. Signed lower right in red, “Wiley.” Housed in a hand-carved giltwood frame. Sight: 24 1/4″ H x 32 1/4″ W. Framed: 34″ H x 38 3/4″ W. Note: At least two other, similar meadow landscapes by Wiley are known. A painting currently in the collection of the Tennessee State Museum and entitled “Gathering in the Woods” is almost identical in both size and composition.

Biography: Catherine Wiley is one of Tennessee’s most important nationally recognized artists. She was one of the early female students at the University of Tennessee, and was later credited with establishing formal art instruction at the school. Wiley studied at the Art Students League in New York under Frank DuMond, and spent summers learning from major American impressionists such as Robert Reid, Jonas Lie, and Martha Walter. She won numerous prizes including two Gold Medals at the Appalachian Exposition in 1910 and her paintings were exhibited at prominent American venues including the National Academy of Design in New York and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Her thriving career was ended by a mental collapse which left her institutionalized until her death.

CONDITION: Painting in overall good condition. Lined, repaired tear with inpainting to foliage area at upper right, 6 1/2″ x 5 1/2″. Likely a tear, plus inpainting, to horizon area in lower left quadrant, 6″ x 3″, and additional, scattered inpainting.