Emile A. Gruppe (1896-1978):  American Master 

Born in New York City, Emile A. Gruppe remains one of the most respected and revered artists of his generation. Best known for his harbor scenes of Gloucester, Massachusetts and vistas in and around Cape Ann, Gruppe taught a generation of American artists in the first half of the 20th century. This Gruppe painting entitled Morning Harbor from the mature phase of his career is a prime example of the artist's characteristic style showing, in both composition and palette, a work that is among his finest. 

Author and Technical Innovator

In paintings showing his characteristic style, Gruppe conveyed to his students innovative and groundbreaking information about the use of color, palette techniques, and color theory within fine art. He authored two texts on the topic of painting technique called Gruppe on Color and Gruppe on Painting. Both books remain nearly as highly sought-after as his paintings of the popular motifs of Cape Ann.

The Cape Ann School

Gruppe painted scenes of Cape Ann and taught at the artist colony. He painted Cape Ann scenes as did Frederick Mulhaupt, Allan Freelon, Earl Horter, Fern Coppedge, and many others. The artist colony that grew up near Gloucester, Massachusetts shared similarities with the other artist enclaves of the early 20th century including New Hope, PA (learn more about New Hope here), Cos Cob, CT, and Provincetown, MA. Like these sites, artists gravitated to Cape Ann and Gloucester to capture the reflection of light on water as did the French Impressionists of the late 19th century such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro. The Americans painted en plein aire (or outdoors) and captured scenes directly onto canvas. The Cape Ann School of American Impressionism remains a strong academic aspect of the history of American art. 

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