FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - EMILE ALBERT GRUPPE

AFTERNOON BIRCHES - Emile Gruppe

EMILE ALBERT GRUPPE 

Emile was an American painter born 23 November 1896 in Rochester, New York. His whole family was involved in artistic pursuits. As a child, he lived in the Netherlands where his father Charles Paul Gruppe, was a dealer for Dutch painters in the US and was part of the Hague school. The family returned to the US permanently in 1913 to avoid The Great War.

Gruppe spent a year in the United States Navy in 1917 and on his return, he set up a permanent studio in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he became a member of the Cape Ann school of artists. Gruppe also studied at the National Academy in New York City and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris.

Although Gruppe is best known for his impressionistic landscapes, he also painted portraits. His style was largely inherited from Claude Monet. Gruppe's paintings are often seen in major auction galleries, such as Sotheby's, Christies, and Skinners and prices are some of the best reached by the Rockport School. He taught many well known artists including Otis Cook, Bill Wray and Nathalie Nordstrand.

The painting I chose above certainly echoes the sensitive treatment of trees by such Impressionists as Pissarro and Monet. His colours, though bold, are carefully softened by mixing in complimentary colours and the variation in his brushwork is superb.

I was introduced to Emile by Marion Hedger, a fabulous oil painter living in Provence. Thank you Marion.

LADY IN RED - Emile Gruppe

 In searching for a painting with similar trees I rediscovered this lovely little vignette MINI MASTER from last year. This was painted in honour of Arthur Lismer. I have framed many of this series in wide frames and they look spectacular.

CABIN IN THE WOODS - Sea Dean