William Merritt Chase

by Erica Hirshler, William Chase (Artist)

Praised for his jewel-like landscapes, park scenes, and sympathetic images of women, William Merritt Chase (1849–1916) was a leading American Impressionist painter and an influential teacher in the late 19th century. This beautifully illustrated volume provides a compact introduction to Chase’s paintings and pastels and samples several of his favorite motifs, including the theatrical environment of his antique-filled studio, the modern women he celebrated, the costumes and decorative arts of Japan, children at play in city and countryside, and thoughtful moments of leisure and contemplation. A native of the state of Indiana, Chase left his modest boyhood home to study at the Munich Academy, where he both fell in love with the old masters and became determined to celebrate the people and places of his own time. His studio became a stage set for his imagination, where objects from around the world came together in harmonious arrangements of color and form, and where subjects and patrons alike were dazzled by both his paintings and his artistic persona.

84 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2016

Reviews

[M. Sarki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently viewed a few Chase paintings at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond and was impressed with his talent. I was previously unaware of this painter. Great story and what a gifted artist.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful overview of the art of William Merritt Chase, American Impressionist and influential teacher, whose students include Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, and Georgia O'Keeffe ... wondrously illustrated ... makes one long to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ...

[Mary Warnement · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this exhibition last year and when I perused this and the official catalog in the gift shop, I knew I wanted this. Had thought it could be a Christmas present, but when that didn't come to pass, I took matters into my own hand. Reading it yesterday, the day it arrived in the mail, I realized I'd had a reference question about the Scribner's Magazine. Must have been one of the graduate assistants. I'll have to look that up. Erica Hirshler curates shows that interest me; I'm always curious to see what she organizes and publishes.