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William Merritt Chase (November 1, 1849 – October 25, 1916) was an American painter, known as an exponent of Impressionism and as a teacher. He is also responsible for establishing the Chase School, which later became the Parsons School of Design. William Merritt Chase was born on November 1, 1849, in Williamsburg (now Nineveh), Indiana, to the family of Sarah Swain and David H. Chase, a local businessman. Chase's father moved the family to Indianapolis in 1861, and employed his son as a salesman in the family business. Chase showed an early interest in art, and studied under local, self- taught artists Barton S. Hays and Jacob Cox.
At the age of 19, he decided to At the age of 19, he decided to become a sailor and travelled become a sailor and travelled with his friend to Annapolis with his friend to Annapolis where he was commissioned to where he was commissioned to a merchant ship. After a brief a merchant ship. After a brief three three- -month stint in the Navy, month stint in the Navy, Chase understood that it was Chase understood that it was not for him and his teachers not for him and his teachers urged him to travel to New urged him to travel to New York to further his artistic York to further his artistic training. He arrived in New training. He arrived in New York in 1869, met and studied York in 1869, met and studied with Joseph Oriel Eaton for a with Joseph Oriel Eaton for a short time, then enrolled in the short time, then enrolled in the National Academy of Design National Academy of Design under Lemuel under Lemuel Wilmarth Wilmarth, a student of the famous French student of the famous French artist Jean artist Jean- -Léon Gérôme. Léon Gérôme. In 1870, declining family In 1870, declining family fortunes forced Chase to leave fortunes forced Chase to leave New York for St. Louis, New York for St. Louis, Missouri, where his family was Missouri, where his family was then based. While he worked to then based. While he worked to help support his family he help support his family he became active in the St. Louis became active in the St. Louis art community. art community. , a
He also exhibited his first painting at the National Academy in He also exhibited his first painting at the National Academy in 1871. Chase's talent elicited the interest of wealthy St. Louis 1871. Chase's talent elicited the interest of wealthy St. Louis collectors who arranged for him to visit Europe for two years, in collectors who arranged for him to visit Europe for two years, in exchange for paintings and Chase's help in securing European art exchange for paintings and Chase's help in securing European art for their collections. for their collections.
William Merritt Chase In Europe, Chase settled at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, a In Europe, Chase settled at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, a long long- -standing center of art training that was attracting increasing standing center of art training that was attracting increasing numbers of Americans and attracted Chase because it had fewer numbers of Americans and attracted Chase because it had fewer distractions than Paris. He studied under Alexander von Wagner distractions than Paris. He studied under Alexander von Wagner and Karl von and Karl von Piloty Piloty, and befriended American artists Walter , and befriended American artists Walter Shirlaw Shirlaw, Frank , Frank Duveneck Duveneck, and J( , and J(oseph oseph) Frank Currier. ) Frank Currier. In Munich, Chase employed his rapidly burgeoning talent most In Munich, Chase employed his rapidly burgeoning talent most often in figurative works that he painted in the loosely brushed often in figurative works that he painted in the loosely brushed style popular with his instructors. In January 1876, one of these style popular with his instructors. In January 1876, one of these figural works, a portrait titled "Keying Up" figural works, a portrait titled "Keying Up" – – The Court Jester (now in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine (now in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts) was exhibited at the Boston Art Club; later that year it was Arts) was exhibited at the Boston Art Club; later that year it was exhibited and won a medal at the Philadelphia Centennial exhibited and won a medal at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and this success gained Chase his first fame. Exposition, and this success gained Chase his first fame. The Court Jester Chase traveled to Venice, Italy in 1877 with Chase traveled to Venice, Italy in 1877 with Duveneck Henry Twachtman before returning to the United States in the Henry Twachtman before returning to the United States in the summer of 1878, a highly skilled artist representing the new wave summer of 1878, a highly skilled artist representing the new wave of European of European- -educated American talent. educated American talent. Duveneck and John and John
William Merritt Chase Home in America, he exhibited his painting Ready for the Ride Home in America, he exhibited his painting Ready for the Ride (collection of the Union League Club) with the newly formed (collection of the Union League Club) with the newly formed Society of American Artists in 1878. He also opened a studio in Society of American Artists in 1878. He also opened a studio in New York in the Tenth Street Studio Building, home to many of the New York in the Tenth Street Studio Building, home to many of the important painters of the day. He was a member of the Tilers, a important painters of the day. He was a member of the Tilers, a group of artists and authors, among whom were some of his group of artists and authors, among whom were some of his notable friends: Winslow Homer, Arthur notable friends: Winslow Homer, Arthur Quartley Saint Saint Gaudens Gaudens. . Quartley and Augustus and Augustus In 1881, friend and artist William Preston Phelps travelled back to In 1881, friend and artist William Preston Phelps travelled back to Europe to team up with Chase to go on a working tour of Italy, Europe to team up with Chase to go on a working tour of Italy, Venice, Capri then back to Germany. Venice, Capri then back to Germany. Chase cultivated multiple personae: sophisticated cosmopolitan, Chase cultivated multiple personae: sophisticated cosmopolitan, devoted family man, and esteemed teacher. Chase married Alice devoted family man, and esteemed teacher. Chase married Alice Gerson in 1887 and together they raised eight children during Gerson in 1887 and together they raised eight children during Chase's most energetic artistic period. His eldest daughters, Alice Chase's most energetic artistic period. His eldest daughters, Alice Dieudonnee Dieudonnee Chase and Dorothy Bremond Chase, often modeled for Chase and Dorothy Bremond Chase, often modeled for their father. their father.
Portrait painting He is perhaps best known for his portraits, and his sitters He is perhaps best known for his portraits, and his sitters including some of the most important men and women of his time. including some of the most important men and women of his time. His portrait of painter Lydia Field Emmet in 1892 depicts Emmet His portrait of painter Lydia Field Emmet in 1892 depicts Emmet in a pose typically reserved for men in old masters' paintings. in a pose typically reserved for men in old masters' paintings. Emmet's hand is on her hip and she looks over her shoulder at the Emmet's hand is on her hip and she looks over her shoulder at the audience. audience. Chase also frequently painted his wife Alice and their children, Chase also frequently painted his wife Alice and their children, sometimes in individual portraits, and other times in scenes of sometimes in individual portraits, and other times in scenes of domestic tranquility: at breakfast in their backyard, or relaxing at domestic tranquility: at breakfast in their backyard, or relaxing at their summer home on Long Island, the children playing on the their summer home on Long Island, the children playing on the floor or among the sand dunes of Shinnecock. In an 1895 painting floor or among the sand dunes of Shinnecock. In an 1895 painting titled A Friendly Call, his wife is depicted wearing a yellow dress titled A Friendly Call, his wife is depicted wearing a yellow dress and entertaining a caller dressed in white. and entertaining a caller dressed in white.
William Merritt Chase In New York City, however, Chase became known for his In New York City, however, Chase became known for his flamboyance, especially in his dress, his manners, and most of all flamboyance, especially in his dress, his manners, and most of all in his studio. At Tenth Street, Chase had moved into Albert in his studio. At Tenth Street, Chase had moved into Albert Bierstadt's old studio and had decorated it as an extension of his Bierstadt's old studio and had decorated it as an extension of his own art. Chase filled the studio with lavish furniture, decorative own art. Chase filled the studio with lavish furniture, decorative objects, stuffed birds, oriental carpets, and exotic musical objects, stuffed birds, oriental carpets, and exotic musical instruments. The studio served as a focal point for the instruments. The studio served as a focal point for the sophisticated and fashionable members of the New York City art sophisticated and fashionable members of the New York City art world of the late 19th century. By 1895, the cost of maintaining the world of the late 19th century. By 1895, the cost of maintaining the studio, in addition to his other residences, forced Chase to close it studio, in addition to his other residences, forced Chase to close it and auction the contents. and auction the contents. In addition to his painting, Chase actively developed an interest in In addition to his painting, Chase actively developed an interest in teaching. Initially he took on private pupils, among his first being teaching. Initially he took on private pupils, among his first being Dora Wheeler, a student from 1879 to 1881 who became a Dora Wheeler, a student from 1879 to 1881 who became a professional artist and a lifelong friend. professional artist and a lifelong friend. Dora's mother Candace Wheeler wrote in her memoirs of Chase's Dora's mother Candace Wheeler wrote in her memoirs of Chase's contagious enthusiasm, "the most generous of teachers, not only contagious enthusiasm, "the most generous of teachers, not only giving exhaustively of his stored knowledge of how to do things, giving exhaustively of his stored knowledge of how to do things, but fostering as well the will to do it. but fostering as well the will to do it.
Landscapes In addition to painting portraits and full In addition to painting portraits and full- -length figurative works, Chase began painting landscapes in earnest in the late 1880s. His Chase began painting landscapes in earnest in the late 1880s. His interest in landscape art may have been spawned by the landmark interest in landscape art may have been spawned by the landmark New York exhibit of French impressionist works from Parisian New York exhibit of French impressionist works from Parisian dealer Durand dealer Durand- -Ruel in 1886. Chase is best remembered for two Ruel in 1886. Chase is best remembered for two series of landscape subjects, both painted in an impressionist series of landscape subjects, both painted in an impressionist manner. manner. length figurative works, The first was his scenes of Prospect and Central Parks in New The first was his scenes of Prospect and Central Parks in New York; the second were his summer landscapes at Shinnecock. Chase York; the second were his summer landscapes at Shinnecock. Chase usually featured people prominently in his landscapes. Often he usually featured people prominently in his landscapes. Often he depicted woman and children in leisurely poses, relaxing on a park depicted woman and children in leisurely poses, relaxing on a park bench, on the beach, or lying in the summer grass at Shinnecock. bench, on the beach, or lying in the summer grass at Shinnecock. The Shinnecock works in particular have come to be thought of by The Shinnecock works in particular have come to be thought of by art historians as particularly fine examples of American art historians as particularly fine examples of American Impressionism. Impressionism. In 1903, Chase rented the Villa La In 1903, Chase rented the Villa La Meridiana Florence, to which he would return to paint each summer. Later he Florence, to which he would return to paint each summer. Later he bought the Villa bought the Villa Silli Silli, south of the city. , south of the city. Meridiana near near Careggi Careggi, ,
William Merritt Chase At the instigation of Mrs. William Hoyt, Chase opened the At the instigation of Mrs. William Hoyt, Chase opened the Shinnecock Hills Summer School of Art on eastern Long Island, Shinnecock Hills Summer School of Art on eastern Long Island, New York in 1891.[5] He taught there until 1902. Chase adopted the New York in 1891.[5] He taught there until 1902. Chase adopted the plein air method of painting, and often taught his students in plein air method of painting, and often taught his students in outdoor classes. He also opened the Chase School of Art in 1896, outdoor classes. He also opened the Chase School of Art in 1896, which became the New York School of Art two years later with which became the New York School of Art two years later with Chase staying on as instructor until 1907. Chase taught at the Chase staying on as instructor until 1907. Chase taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1896 to 1909; the Art Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1896 to 1909; the Art Students League from 1878 to 1896 and again from 1907 to 1911; and Students League from 1878 to 1896 and again from 1907 to 1911; and the Brooklyn Art Association in 1887 and from 1891 to 1896. Along the Brooklyn Art Association in 1887 and from 1891 to 1896. Along with Robert Henri, who became a rival instructor, Chase was the with Robert Henri, who became a rival instructor, Chase was the most important teacher of American artists around the turn of the most important teacher of American artists around the turn of the 20th century. 20th century. After stopping his work at Shinnecock Hills, Chase began taking After stopping his work at Shinnecock Hills, Chase began taking groups of students overseas in the summer months to tour the groups of students overseas in the summer months to tour the important European art centers. In 1903, Chase and his students important European art centers. In 1903, Chase and his students visited Haarlem in the Netherlands, where Chase was inspired by visited Haarlem in the Netherlands, where Chase was inspired by a a schutterstuk schutterstuk by Frans Hals. He made a self by Frans Hals. He made a self- -portrait of himself in the role of one of Hals' the role of one of Hals' schutters schutters, choosing his look , choosing his look- -alike Johan Claesz Claesz Loo featured in The Officers of the St Adrian Militia Loo featured in The Officers of the St Adrian Militia Company in 1633. Company in 1633. portrait of himself in alike Johan
William Merritt Chase The Art Students League of New York is an art school in the American Fine Arts Society in Manhattan, New York City. The Arts Students League is known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists. The League also maintains a significant permanent collection of student and faculty work, and publishes an online journal of writing on art-related topics, called LINEA.
William Merritt Chase The Officers of the St Adrian Militia Company in 1633 refers to the second schutterstuk painted by Frans Hals for the Cluveniers, St. Adrian, or St. Hadrian civic guard of Haarlem, in 1633, and today considered one of the main attractions of the Frans Hals Museum there.
William Merritt Chase Chase won many honors at home and abroad, was a member of the Chase won many honors at home and abroad, was a member of the National Academy of Design, New York, and from 1885 to 1895 National Academy of Design, New York, and from 1885 to 1895 was president of the Society of American Artists. He became a was president of the Society of American Artists. He became a member of the Ten American Painters after John Henry member of the Ten American Painters after John Henry Twachtman died. Twachtman died. Chase's creativity declined in his later years, especially as modern Chase's creativity declined in his later years, especially as modern art took hold in America, but he continued to paint and teach into art took hold in America, but he continued to paint and teach into the 1910s. During this period Chase taught such up and coming the 1910s. During this period Chase taught such up and coming young artists as Wilhelmina Weber Furlong, Arthur Hill Gilbert, young artists as Wilhelmina Weber Furlong, Arthur Hill Gilbert, and Edward Hopper. and Edward Hopper. At Carmel At Carmel- -by taught his last summer class, his largest with over one hundred taught his last summer class, his largest with over one hundred pupils and his most problematic, at the Carmel Arts and Crafts pupils and his most problematic, at the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club's Summer School Of Art. His former student, Jennie V. Club's Summer School Of Art. His former student, Jennie V. Cannon, in conjunction with Chase's business manager C. P. Cannon, in conjunction with Chase's business manager C. P. Townsley Townsley and Carmel's co and Carmel's co- -founder James Franklin founder James Franklin Devendorf persuaded the esteemed painter to visit the Pacific Coast with persuaded the esteemed painter to visit the Pacific Coast with promises of generous financial returns promises of generous financial returns by- -the the- -Sea from July through September 1914 Chase Sea from July through September 1914 Chase Devendorf, ,
William Merritt Chase Suffering from declining health (cirrhosis of the liver), Chase took Suffering from declining health (cirrhosis of the liver), Chase took the opportunity shortly after his arrival to meet with the directors the opportunity shortly after his arrival to meet with the directors of San Francisco's forthcoming Panama of San Francisco's forthcoming Panama– –Pacific International Exposition to secure his own exhibition gallery, which he had been Exposition to secure his own exhibition gallery, which he had been denied earlier. He was adored by his Carmel students, several of denied earlier. He was adored by his Carmel students, several of whom published extensive descriptions of his lectures and teaching whom published extensive descriptions of his lectures and teaching methods. Chase found the art colony at Carmel too confining methods. Chase found the art colony at Carmel too confining socially and moved his residence to the nearby luxury Hotel Del socially and moved his residence to the nearby luxury Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, where he negotiated several important Monte in Monterey, where he negotiated several important portrait commissions. In mid portrait commissions. In mid- -August one of his students, Helena August one of his students, Helena Wood Smith, was brutally murdered by her Japanese lover, which Wood Smith, was brutally murdered by her Japanese lover, which caused the cancellation of several classes, near violent hysteria in caused the cancellation of several classes, near violent hysteria in the art colony, and the early departure of some of his students. the art colony, and the early departure of some of his students. Chase continued with his regular teaching schedule, held meetings Chase continued with his regular teaching schedule, held meetings with important regional artists, such as William with important regional artists, such as William Ritschel several local scenes, and experimented with monotypes. several local scenes, and experimented with monotypes. Pacific International Ritschel, painted , painted Chase died on October 25, 1916, at his home in New York City, an Chase died on October 25, 1916, at his home in New York City, an esteemed elder of the American art world. He was interred in esteemed elder of the American art world. He was interred in Green Green- -Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. Today his works are Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. Today his works are in most major museums in the United States. in most major museums in the United States.
William Merritt Chase William Merritt Chase Homestead
