Charles Paul Gruppe (American, 1860-1940) oil on canvas landscape painting titled “Unloading Hay on the Connecticut River,” depicting two figures in an ox-driven hay wagon working beside a river. Original giltwood frame with center corner plaque. Remnants of old auction or exhibition label en verso. Sight – 19 1/2″ H x 13 3/4″ W. Framed – 18 3/4″ H x 24 3/4″ W. Biography: (Adapted from AskArt) Charles Paul Gruppe was born in Canada. His family moved to New York during his childhood. As a young adult, he moved to Europe to pursue his artistic career. He was particularly drawn to Holland, where he eventually set up a studio. He painted many landscape, genre, and marine paintings, some of which were collected by the Dutch Royal Family. After roughly twenty years, he moved back to New York and helped popularize Dutch art in America. His son, artist Emile Gruppe, was born in 1896, and they spent many years painting together and influencing each other’s work. The two shared a studio in Rockport from 1925-1929, but both remained in the Cape Ann area until Charles died in 1940 at the age of 80. In his lifetime he received recognition and awards in Europe, as well as two silver medals at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1903, for his use of watercolor and oil. Provenance: Private Middle Tennessee collection, by descent from Mr. and Mrs. John and Bessie Murray of Long Island, New York, purchased Dec. 3, 1914 at Anderson Galleries, New York (Lot #57). The 1914 auction featured paintings consigned by Messrs. Andrew Jackson of New Rochelle, NY, and A.H. Griffith, a longtime secretary and director of the Detroit Museum of Art. American Art News, Vol. 13, No. 10, reported on the auction and made mention of the Murrays purchasing this painting as one of the key lots. This painting is shown hanging in the Murray’s home in an old photograph provided by the present consignor. Note: Businessman John Francis Murray (1872-1936)was president of the American Home Products company and of the John F. Murray Advertising agency of New York. CONDITION: Scattered grime to sky area. Repaired 2″ tear at far center right edge at sky/treeline area. Frame regilt, fragile condition with losses.