Frederik E. Grue; Nationally Known Artist

Frederik Ebbesen Grue, a nationally recognized artist and former resident of Santa Paula, has died of lymphoma.

Grue died Nov. 22 at age 44.

A native of Tarzana, Grue lived and worked in Santa Paula from 1978 to 1983, when he moved to Indiana to fulfill his longtime dream of owning and restoring a Victorian mansion.

Grue, a self-taught still-life artist, first exhibited his work in 1981 at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, which has produced the only signed and numbered limited edition print by the artist.

While living in Santa Paula, Grue also participated in the 1992 Carnegie exhibit, “The Art of Miniature,” and became well known in the community for his painting workshops.

His paintings, which have sold for more than $50,000 a piece, have appeared at the National Academy of Design in New York, the Hoosier Salon in Indianapolis and the Artists of America exhibit in Denver.

Grue was known for his vision and interpretation of detail, reminiscent of Flemish masters. He is the subject of a recently published book, “Beyond Realism: The Life and Art of Frederik Grue,” by Carol Weiss and Judith Vale Newton.

The Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis will be mounting an exhibit of Grue’s work, titled “Stilled Life; The Paintings of Frederik Ebbesen Grue,” from Jan. 26 to June 2.

Grue is survived by his parents, Finn and Gilberte Grue of Tarzana; a brother Chris Grue of Seattle, Wash.; and a sister, Diki Wackenstedt of Agoura.

Memorial services will be held Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Arrangements are under the direction of Crown Hill Mortuary, Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Frederik Grue Memorial, St. Vincent’s Hospital Foundation, 8402 Harcourt Road, Suite 213, Indianapolis, Ind., 46260.