Editor's note: The Indianapolis Museum of Art provided source material to Resource Library Magazine for the following article or essay. If you have questions or comments regarding the source material, please contact the The Indianapolis Museum of Art directly through either this phone number or web address:
William Merritt Chase: Four Paintings from the Lilly Endowment Collection
Indiana-born William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) dominated American art during the late 19th century. A master of technique, he was among the first artists to produce substantial Impressionist landscapes in the United States.
After studying at the Royal Academy in Munich, Chase returned to America and settled in New York City, which remained his home for the remainder of his life. His paintings of the parks and harbors of 19th-century Brooklyn and Manhattan are considered to be among the most significant examples of Impressionism created in America.
Chase became one of the most important American art teachers of his generation. He taught at the Art Students' League of New York, at his own Chase School of Art, and at Shinnecock, Long Island, where he started the first summer school of landscape painting. His pupils included Charles Demuth, Georgia O'Keeffe and Charles Sheeler.
Chase produced more than 2,000 paintings, including still lifes, portraits, interiors and landscapes, and his work is represented in many American museums. The four paintings in this exhibition were produced during Chase's most productive and revered period and represent his Impressionist style. Completed between 1885 and 1905, the works include New York and Long Island landscapes along with an example of the artist's still-life painting of peonies, his favorite floral subject.
TOUR INFORMATION
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette
November 16, 2002 February 2, 2003
Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington
February 15 May 4, 2003
Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne
May 17 August 3, 2003
Ball State University Museum of Art, Muncie
August 16 November 2, 2003
Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute
November 15, 2003 February 1, 2004
The Snite Museum of Art, South Bend
February 14 May 2, 2004
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis
May 15 August 1, 2004
This exhibition is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and is organized by the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Following are images of paintings from the traveling exhibition accompanied by wall texts and interpretative labels for works in the exhibition.
William Merritt Chase: Four Paintings from the Lilly Endowment Collection
William Merritt Chase was a virtuoso painter, influential teacher, and dynamic advocate of American art. Born in Nineveh, Indiana in 1849, Chase moved with his family to Indianapolis in 1861 and began his training with local artist Barton Hays as a teenager. Hays quickly recognized his potential and sent Chase to New York for further study. In 1872 Chase departed for Munich to attend the Royal Academy. He returned to America in 1878 and settled in New York, which would remain his home for the remainder of his life. During the 1880s Chase adopted the principles of Impressionism, creating paintings that show his technical prowess and versatility. In his own lifetime, Chase was equally admired for his skill as a painter and his talent as a teacher.
With his top hat, cutaway coat, and Russian wolfhound, Chase was one of the most cosmopolitan characters of his day. His elaborate New York studio, filled with exotic objects and furniture, was not only a comfortable area for painting, but also a gallery and a showplace that became a center for artists and collectors alike. Chase, the dapper artist, was also a devoted family man, who frequently chose his wife and eight children as the subjects of his work.
Chase's paintings of the parks and harbors of nineteenth-century Brooklyn and Manhattan are often considered to be some of the most significant examples of Impressionism created in America. By transforming these everyday scenes into works of art, Chase created an identifiable American art that combined an impressionist aesthetic with the artist's own innovative presentation. These distinctly American subjects earned Chase critical acclaim and an invitation to head the famous Shinnecock Summer School of Art in 1890, which offered both men and women an opportunity to perfect their artistic skills in an outdoor environment.
This exhibition comprises four paintings representing Chase's impressionist works produced during his most productive and revered period. On display are extremely important examples of the artist's work, including New York and Long Island landscapes, intimate views created through personal experience, and an example of Chase's still life painting of peonies, his favorite floral subject.
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation based in Indianapolis that was created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family, Josiah K. Lilly Sr. and his sons, Josiah K. Jr. and Eli, through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although gifts of stock in the company remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location.
In keeping with the wishes of its founders, the Endowment exists to support the causes of community development, education and religion. It affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and that promote leadership education and financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit sector. The Lilly family's foremost priority was to help the people of their city and state build a better life. Although the Endowment supports efforts of national significance and an occasional international project, it remains primarily committed to its hometown and home state.
Over the years the Endowment has sought to recognize, encourage and develop creativity in the state. It takes great pride in Indiana's heritage of cultural accomplishment. The Hoosier Group includes some of Indiana's most important Impressionist painters. To ensure significant examples of their work stayed in Indiana for the benefit of its citizens, the Endowment acquired the works you see in this exhibition.
Read more articles and essays concerning this institutional source by visiting the sub-index page for the Indianapolis Museum of Art in Resource Library Magazine
Search for more articles and essays on American art in Resource Library. See America's Distinguished Artists for biographical information on historic artists.
This page was originally published in 2003 in Resource Library Magazine. Please see Resource Library's Overview section for more information.
Copyright 2012 Traditional Fine Arts Organization, Inc., an Arizona nonprofit corporation. All rights reserved.