RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

I recently inherited this painting from my late father-in-law’s estate. I am unable to find an artist’s name anywhere on it. My father-in-law liked this painting quite a bit and so do I. Years ago, he mentioned to me the artist’s name, but I can longer remember it. I’m fairly certain that he indicated he even met the artist at the time he purchased the painting. I read your column frequently, so I now understand the reason you constantly remind your readers to always write down any information they are told relative to an item, and to keep the information with the item. I wish I had taken your advice! Please inform me as to who this artist is and the painting’s value. I would like to get this painting insured, but I can’t until I have all this information. The painting’s size is 28 inches by 24 inches. Thank you, Jon, in advance for your help and knowledge.

It is simple for me to identify the oil painting you recently inherited, as it was produced by one of my favorite American artists, Emille Gruppe. Let me also mention that this painting is most definitely signed by this artist. You might have to remove the wooden frame to be able to see the signature, but it’s certainly there. Emile Albert Gruppe (1896-1978) was a prolific American Impressionist and Post Impressionist painter, known for his vibrant seascapes and landscape paintings, particularly those of New England. He was heavily influenced by the French impressionist painters. Born in Rochester, New York, he lived the early years of his life in the Netherlands as his father Charles Gruppe, another important American artist, painted with the Hague School of Art. In the early 1930s Emile Gruppe found his way to the fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts and the area known as Rocky Neck, which is one of the oldest artist communities in the United States. From 1940 through 1970 he ran the Gloucester School of Painting on Smith Cove. As he grew older, he sometimes wintered in Naples, Florida, which provided another palette for his landscapes. This time it was tropical scenes. Gruppe also authored books for artists on brushwork, color and technique. This artist was a prominent member of the Salmagundi Club in New York City, where he received several awards for his work. This writer is also a member of the Salmagundi Club and privileged to be able to take friends and associates to privately enjoy his numerous works that adorn the walls of this art club. Emile Gruppe is also represented in many museums and permanent collections in the United States. Now that I’ve identified this painting, allow me to enlighten you as to its current value. The market for Emile Gruppe paintings is on fire. All one needs to do is research just how much this artist’s paintings are currently selling for at auction. Particularly in the last ten years. Talk about a blue-chip item! This fantastic, Emile Gruppe Post-Impressionist oil on canvas painting, now in your possession has a value of $8,000 USD. One last thing, please keep this information I have provided to you with the painting, so there is no more confusion as to the artist that painted it.