William Merritt Chase (1849 – 1916) was one of the first American artists to paint Impressionist landscapes. He was also an exceptional portrait and still-life artist. The leader of numerous artistic societies, Chase was a well-respected art teacher whose students included future virtuosos Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent. Highly attuned to artistic trends, Chase introduced American artists to emerging European styles. He utilized a pastel technique that simulated the vivid richness of oil paints. Chase’s broken brushstrokes, contemporary subjects and bright colors were integral to the acceptance of modern styles in late 19th-century America.

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