Born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, the self-taught artist is the only one of the Hoosier Group painters without European training. Gruelle grew up in Arcola, Illinois, apprenticed as a house and sign painter, and established his first studio in Decatur, Illinois, where he began by painting portraits and domestic scenes before turning to landscapes. Gruelle relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1882 to pursue a career as a full-time landscape painter. Gruelle also made extended sketching trips to the East Coast of the United States. Gruelle and his wife moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1910. Gruelle was a member of several arts organizations, including the Art Association of Indianapolis (forerunner to the present-day Indianapolis Museum of Art), the New Canaan Society of Artists, the Society of Western Artists, and the Knockers, an East Coast art group. Although he only occasionally exhibited his art in national exhibitions, one a notable exception was the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1904.
- Richard Gruelle
- 1851-1914
- Richmond Art Museum
- Hoosier Group
- Watercolor
- 1986.04
- 9.75" x 13"
- Gift of Hugh Ronald
An opaque watercolor on paper by Richard Gruelle showing a landscape in soft greens, tans, and yellows. Foreground has sloping hill, middle ground has one large detailed tree in left center surrounded by less distinct trees. Upper 1/4 has blue/tan watery sky.