Robert Charles Gruppe, a contemporary impressionist painter, was born in 1944, the son of the legendary Emile A. Gruppe, and the grandson of Charles Paul Gruppe. Robert C. Gruppe’s plein-air paintings of landscapes and harbor scenes capture the images and spirit of his native Gloucester, each one reflecting his own evolving personal vision and style. His paintings are intended to capture the light, movement and mood of the composition he views.
Gruppe studied for 20 years with his father, Emile A. Gruppe. A product of the Gloucester School of Art, he also studied drawing under the tutelage of sculptor George Demetrios. Within his current work is his own personal study of art focused on expanding his understanding of the physical and expressive qualities of paintings. Exploring design, composition and technique on smaller canvasses, he turns to larger paintings to make more evident his spirit of exploration and the potential of his vision and talent.
AWARDS
Gordon Grant Award, Virginia Thomas Award, Annie T. McCarthy Award, Philip Hall Award, Frederick Reinhardt Award, A.B. Kingan Award, C. Richard Clark Memorial,
1st prize, Judges’ Choice Award, Maynard Scranton Award, Gertrude Single Award, Samuel Levin Award, Virginia Thomas Award, Frederick Flatow Award, Rocky Neck Coloy Award, Frederick Mulhaupt Memorial Award, Great Gatsby Award, Helen Van Wick Award.
Robert C. Gruppe continues to work in the same part of the historic Rocky Neck Art Colony of Gloucester as did his father Emile Gruppe and his Grandfather, Charles Paul Gruppe.
Written and submitted March 2004 by John Couch of Decatur, Illinois. He credits the ‘North Shore Arts Association, 197 East Main Street, Pirates Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.
