Nearly a century after his passing, Theodore Clement Steele’s vibrant landscapes and expressive portraits continue to captivate art lovers around the world. His connection to the natural beauty of Brown County, Indiana, and his contributions to American impressionism have solidified his legacy as one of the Midwest’s most celebrated painters.
To commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of his death, the T.C. Steele State Historic Site will unveil a new exhibition of artworks and condolence letters. This kicks off a year-long centennial celebration to honor the impact of Steele’s life and work.
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“Steele is still such a beloved Hoosier artist to many, many people,” said Paula Katz, senior curator of art at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. “We still hear regularly from people who spent time at the site, including descendants and people who were also deeply connected. People are an important part of the story, and with the centennial, we wanted to share some of these memories.”
Inside the large studio at the historic site, the new installation showcases nearly 30 original works spanning the full career of the world-renowned artist, including rarely seen paintings and newly acquired pieces to the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ collection.
Among the highlights, visitors can get their first look at a recently obtained portrait of Steele’s only daughter, Daisy. The painting of the fashionable young woman, which was completed just two years after the death of Steele’s first wife, Libby, offers a glimpse into the artist’s personal life.
The exhibition will also feature plein air landscapes, for which Steele is most remembered, that illustrate both his passion for nature and the evolution of his work. Guests will see a newly acquired piece from the artist’s Brookville period that depicts a farmer at work in his field — a common scene of rural life in Indiana but a unique subject for Steele — as well as arguably his most famous work, “Selma in the Garden,” showing his second wife at work in her beloved flower garden.
“People feel inspired by Steele’s story because he found beauty in the Indiana landscape,” said T.C. Steele State Historic Site Manager Jessica Stephens. “He was honored and recognized nationally for the way he portrayed it. That helps give us Hoosiers a sense of pride in our state.”
Following Steele’s death on July 24, 1926, people from across the country wrote letters of condolence to his family. For the first time, visitors will have an opportunity to read some of these heartfelt correspondences as part of the exhibition.
Visitors can see the newly installed artworks and condolence letters during guided tours of the historic site, which encompass Steele’s large studio along with the House of the Singing Winds. Inside the charming home he shared with Selma, guests can immerse themselves in the Steeles’ day-to-day lives as they wander through the comfortable rooms filled with the family’s original furnishings.
Additionally, visitors take self-guided tours of the historic site to discover the outdoor studio, featuring a wagon modeled after the artist’s own traveling studio, and explore the expansive natural surroundings, including the real locations that inspired Steele’s paintings.
For more information, please visit www.indianamuseum.org.
Thank you for this very informative article. Many excited art related events coming to Indiana in 2026!
Mark Rowlands
Board of Directors
Friends of T.C. Steele
http://www.steele.org
Thank you for all the information on T.C.Steele my grandfather Ludwig and his wife Florence Christianson worked at the house of the singing winds, Caretakers for a while. And what a small world I work for DNR and built the log cabin at the bottom of the hill not knowing my grandfather worked there until I was told by family members that Grandpa worked there for Mr.Steele.