The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-11
Mr.. GRUELLE'S EXHIBIT.
Most of the Paintings of Massachu-
sets Coast Scenes.

All this week, in the art gallery of the
Fl. Iieber Company, may be seen the col
lection of oil and water colors painted by
Mr.. r. B. Gruelle during the past sum-
mer. The exhibit is the finest ever made
by this artist There are landscapes and
sea views in great variety There is the
moistness of the sea in his pictures, as we'll
as the warmth and color of summer. Not
the least attractive feature of the pictures
is the happy titles which the artist has at
tached to them. "a Hint of Other Days
shows the sandy beach, and, half buried in
the grayish-yellowish mass, are the ragged
wrecks of ships. Each succeeding high tide
has added it's sand, until naught but the
dark, uneven bits of wood are visible. Just
beyond is the innocent-looking sea, calmly
blue, the creeping wave just bordered with
white foam, and over to the left is the crest
of the upland on which is growing sparse
green grass. Dream of Summers Day
is a study in blue if one might call it by
so proSaic name. In the center there is
q bit of clear. blue water, and deep around
its edges is the hint of underground in the
shadows and the green scum of quiet
pool. Close to the observer are weeds
grasses, pads and the deep blue of the lily
and flag. Far away rises the low hill, made
blue by the distance and softly capped with
purple haze. AS a color study the picture
is good, but as true glimpse of charming
bit of landscape it is better.
''Gladness of the Morning is a contrast
to the former, for ripping toward the
shore, is the broad expanse of sea and it's
cold gray-green comes in to meet the sand
under the dull shadow of an early morning
sky. Far away is the light that is promise
of the day, touching the sky and the distant
sea. Over this the artist has thrown the
mystery of early morning with indefin-
able combination of shades and tints.
Sounds of the Sea" and 'Brooding Shad-
ows" are two admirable views of the sea.
me nrSt is broad eXpanSe or water, with
curling waves coming in to meet the sand,
and the other shows a low, rocky headland
with the duil, green. water OF cloudy DAY
piling in pillows and rushing in with white
feathers on the top of every wave, an omen
of rough weather somewhere.
one or the strongest pictures in the col
lection is Mysteries of the Sea-" which
has been purchased by the State University.
This is of great, brown rocks, with the
breakers climbing upon them, daSh1ng spray
over their tops and flashing and foaming at
their base. In outline Mr. Gruelle has given
the rocks massiveness that Is tremen-
dous, and in color he has transferred the
rocks themselves with his sxllful brush.
The picture is one of a group of half dozen
or more that have the same characteristics
painting, and one of the best. High in
the heavens is the black cloud of passing
storm and its gloominess is reflected in the
sea. This makes a fine setting for the rain
bow which breaks through the sky in the
center and falls directly down. spreading
its end in lines of color on the water. which
trembleS with its burden of beauty. Far out
in the sea two boats are made visible by
the sudden appearance of the bow, 1t is a
most effective picture. Another picture in
oil is The Bridge of Gold" an evening pic
ture, with the moonlight making a path to
the sea. where the color makes a distinct
line and fades away in fiecks of gold on the
dark water Another fine picture is "A
Hoosier Landscape. Crooked Rum. The run
is so crooked that only bit of 1t Is visible.
1t is surrounded with a rank growth of
grass and weeds in vivid green; Back Of It
is the clay hillside. topped with grass, and
to the eft is the heritage of the lowlands.
and above the feathery green of brush and
stunted trees.
Not the least charming and unlike any
thing else in the. collection is a Bit Of
Gloucester" the row of houses facing the
bay. 1t is as finished and fine as French
painting of the school that does miniature
work. There Is not the least particle. Of
impressionism in 1t. The Ebbing Tide,