Wednesday, June 14, 2017

HIDDEN TREASURE 2

When I was  up at the ancestral home last, the Mother and I were doing lots of things around her house, like donating jumble, re-organizing her storage areas and closets, and doing a general sort out. You may recall I even cleaned the family silver which had been packed away for some time. Another of the things we came across were some paintings.

I had seen them before, as they did hang in the home, but my Mother likes to switch thing up. So some were packed away, but now they all hang in the hallway once again. I grew up with these paintings, and I never really noticed the artist. But this time I looked, and it was the name of Emile Gruppe'. I unfortunately have no idea how long they were in the family or where they even came from. Since father is passed, all my mother knows, she remembers my father's parents having them in their home. My father's cousin Marie Stobie was a famous artist on Long Island, so I think I assumed they were her work, till I saw Emile Gruppe's name in the corner. My father's side has always been artistic in some form. My grandparents both loved singing, and my grandfather also painted, as did my dad, but very informal. So I can only assume someone loved art. Since having a lot of extra time I did some research on the artist and found several tidbits.

Emile Albert Gruppé lived between 1896–1978 and was a American painter born in Rochester, New York. Funny part, my dad's family when coming to America, settled in this part of New York and stayed, till my father moved the PA to run one of his uncle's Wall Street Firm's branches in Harrisburg.
Emile lived the early years of his life in the Netherlands as his father Charles Paul Gruppe, painted with the Hague School of Art and acted as a dealer for the Dutch painters in the US. Since my grandfathers family all came from the Netherlands, Holland .... I wonder if someone was a fan of his work?
The family returned permanently to the states around 1913 when rumblings of World War I were brewing. All of Emile’s siblings established themselves in the arts. Gruppe's artistic career began in 1915 but was briefly interrupted in 1917, when he spent a year in the United States Navy. He made his permanent studio in Gloucester, Massachusetts and became a member of the Cape Ann school of artists. Although Gruppe is best known for his variety of impressionistic landscapes, he also painted figures and portraits. His modern style was largely inherited from the French Impressionist Monet. "Lily Pads," date and location unknown, one of Gruppe's landscapes, attests to Monet's influence; it is similar to some of the paintings in Monet's "Water Lily" series.He was the teacher of other famous artists including oil painter Otis Cook of Rockport, Massachusetts, and his work was an influence on Bill Wray, Nathalie Nordstrand, and other painters.

Gruppe's paintings are often seen in major auction galleries, such as Sotheby's, Christies, and Skinners. Auction prices have risen steadily and exceed most Rockport School artists. Gruppe is among the most prominent of Rockport, MA artists, a group that includes: Anthony Thieme, Marguerite Pierson, Antonio Cirino, W Lester Stevens, and Aldro Hibbard.

The top picture and the following are the ones we own.

Probably my favorite.....

Mother and I could never stand this one....it's eerie.

What's interesting when researching, his work always seems to be in these heavy gold frames. Now I'm thinking these are originals, but not sure. My pictures are horrible. From the photos you can see the texture of the oils. They also I know need a professional art clean because of dust. Most of these I do love the feeling they have. When I was little, I created a story for each one, as to what was going on in them. Trying to find pictures of the artist himself was hard, alas, the only two I found are above. My mother is now looking for a gallery or art dealer to come in and see what's the skinny on them. We may just show up yet on Antiques Roadshow. And then, just today, came across THIS interesting story. If anyone reading knows about Emile's work, I loved to know more.

On top of this, we also have what may be a Sheraton or Sheraton reproduction desk.....just more to ponder.....

23 comments:

  1. What an interesting story. Glad you took the time to noodle around the house and found them.

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  2. Let's hope they're all worth a gazillion bucks and you can retire to a life of luxury!

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    1. What fantastic, beautiful paintings! And those wonderful frames are probably the original ones. I'm wondering if - somewhere along the line - your relatives might have actually known Gruppe.

      I'm not too familiar with Gruppe's work, but I have seen his name on occasion while doing research on my own art collection. Years ago, his works were selling for $10,000 to $15,000. At the right gallery or auction nowadays I'm sure they'd be worth a lot more.

      Heck, I'm no expert but that's my input.

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    2. "I'm wondering if - somewhere along the line - your relatives might have actually known Gruppe." Alas, with most of my fathers side gone....I'll never know. Seems coincidental though that out families geography is in line a lot with Gruppe's though right? I hadn't even thought of what you said.

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  4. What a find! I personally myself like all those paintings, and William has enjoyed looking at the sailing one. I'm with Jon, I have seen his work from time to time, as we both like antiquing, and those frames sure do look original and old. I too have seen prices from $1,000 as high as $53.000.

    If you mother gets someone in, make sure they are a reputable gallery or art dealer, for they might give you a run around. Do you two plan to keep them? They are all stunning I think, he had a nice technique.

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    1. That is good advice, thank you! Yes we plan to keep them....but if they are worth anything, my mother wants to get them appraised and then insured.

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  5. Wow. What a interesting post. I too love the same one you enjoy. The soft colors. As a designer I do deal with some art, and if you get someone to appraise it or clean, check out the auctions house first. Many provide more background into Emile and offer many services other then selling. They are all striking.

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  6. I don't know much about art, but they are pretty. Can you imagine if you have a small fortune on your hands?

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  7. Lovely paintings and hidden treasure indeed. I have no knowledge of the artist, but I do love his scenes. Since I am online a lot I do read one blog, Stapleton Kearns. He may be able to offer some insight too.

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    1. I will have to check that out, thank you.

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  8. It looks like Gruppe knew that he was the "Master of his Brush". I also prefer the lady in the stream? and bottom painting. Their alive with color. Keep us posted please.

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  9. How cool was that article in the link? Keep these treasures.

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  10. Now this IS a small world. When I was living stateside still, I resided in Florida. I love his works, and your the first to ever mention his name. I am a Gruppe' groupie. Painting was and is a Gruppe' family tradition. I have seen his son, Robert Gruppe's, work in galleries around Florida. Expressive and nautical, like the old man.

    Your lucky to have several....they sure look original to me.

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  11. Not very versed in art, but I do know, your lucky to have these family belongings, there gorgeous.

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  12. That was a cool find! I know those picture frames were a big deal in the 60s and 70s. My parents had them in my childhood home and I never liked them either.

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  13. Interesting... post and a nice find. Funny how we can have these things and never even notice them. Then one day it's like wham! I love to learn from you.

    BEAUTIFUL Gruppe paintings!

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  14. Nice, the treasures around us - I see a blog posting coming out of that idea some day.

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  15. Very wild story about Jackson! We inherited quite a bit of original artwork (paintings, prints, sculptures) which came from various parts of NY. Have no clue as to the value, etc of any of it - I just like it. I rotate them out because there isn't enough room on walls for all of it. I'd venture to say the most valuable thing we have is a signed print by Nieman. But, as we like to say - it's valuable art if you enjoy it.

    Hugs!

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    1. I had to google some of those names. Your quite lucky indeed!

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  16. I love oil canvas. What pretty pictures, I love the sailing one. I can see where his influence was Monet.

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  17. Beautiful Mistress. They are keepers. When I moved here to P-town, I had very little. And my family since passed, my sister rid the house of everything. Family heirlooms all gone.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!