Clifton Wheeler (Indiana, 1883-1953), oil on canvas impressionist painting depicting a man splitting wood outside a shed. Signed and dated, C.A. Wheeler '09 lower left. Likely original gilt carved frame. Sight: 17 1/2" h x 23 1/2" W. Frame: 25 1/8" H x 31 1/8" W. Artist Biography (courtesy Askart: The Artists' Bluebook) – Indiana-born Clifton Wheeler studied art in New York under William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri and Kenneth Hayes Miller. He also studied in Italy and Paris, where he became friends with Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso. He was urged to stay in New York, but returned to Indiana, where he taught for many years at the Herron Art Institute and Butler University. During the summers, he taught at the University of Colorado in Boulder but also traveled to paint in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, as well as in the mountains of North Carolina and upstate New York. He won numerous awards in his lifetime and was a member of the Portfolio Club, the Indiana Artists Club, and the Society of Western Artists. He was one of two artists selected to represent Indiana at the World's Fairs in New York and San Francisco. Provenance – Lexington, Kentucky area collection. Condition: Canvas slightly loose in frame. General craquelure. Patch on back at left center edge revealed in blacklight amongst grey foliage. Gilt frame with cracks in molded decoration and older 1 3/4" loss inner rim. CONDITION: Canvas slightly loose in frame. General craquelure. Patch on back at left center edge revealed in blacklight amongst grey foliage. Gilt frame with cracks in molded decoration and older 1 3/4" loss inner rim.