Artwork
Gathering Autumn Flowers
Gathering Autumn Flowers is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Merritt Chase. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right, WM in monogram: WM.M.Chase.
About this work
Sunlight filters through the branches, lighting up her dress and the yellow leaves on the ground.
This painting shows a woman in a blue dress bending over to pick flowers. A tree arches above her, its leaves bright with fall colors. Sunlight filters through the branches, lighting up her dress and the yellow leaves on the ground.
Chase painted this in 1894–95, late in his career. He loved painting outdoors, capturing light and color in natural scenes. The brushwork here is loose and fresh, not overworked.
Look for the same loose, light-filled style in paintings by Chase, William Merritt.
Subject & Meaning
Gathering Autumn Flowers is an 1894 oil on canvas by William Merritt Chase. As part of Chase's impressionistic outdoor subjects, the work reflects the artist's interest in the textures of the natural world and the play of light characteristic of his plein-air approach. The painting entered the National Gallery of Art's collection through a bequest from Paul Mellon in 1999.
Technique & Style
Gathering Autumn Flowers is an oil painting executed on canvas by William Merritt Chase in 1894. The work measures 53.34 cm in height and 96.52 cm in width. The use of oil on canvas enabled the fluid application and rich surface quality associated with Chase's mature technique, which favored naturalistic subjects and outdoor settings.
History & Provenance
William Merritt Chase executed Gathering Autumn Flowers in 1894. The painting entered the market when it was sold as lot 1169 at the artist's sale held at the American Art Galleries in New York on January 7, 1896. Following this auction, the work was acquired by Louis Ettlinger of New York.
The canvas later became part of the collection of Paul Mellon in Upperville, Virginia. Upon Mellon's death in 1999, he bequeathed the painting to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., though his wife retained a life interest in the piece. This life interest was released in 2012, granting the museum full ownership.
Overview
William Merritt Chase's oil on canvas, Gathering Autumn Flowers, created around 1894–95, presents a vibrant outdoor scene. The painting captures a woman engaged in collecting blossoms amidst a backdrop of trees, their foliage displaying the rich hues of the fall season. Sunlight permeates the composition, illuminating both the figure and the surrounding natural elements.
Context
Created late in William Merritt Chase's career, Gathering Autumn Flowers exemplifies his enduring commitment to plein-air painting. Chase frequently sought to render natural scenes directly from observation, focusing on the dynamic qualities of light and atmosphere. This work aligns with his broader interest in capturing the ephemeral beauty of the outdoors through direct engagement with his subject matter.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Merritt Chase (November 1, 1849 – October 25, 1916) was an American painter, known as an exponent of Impressionism and as a teacher.
