Artwork
Nude
Nude is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Merritt Chase. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: Chase.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition reflects Chase’s belief in the moral and artistic value of the nude as a vehicle for exploring human anatomy and emotional resonance.
The work presents a solitary nude sitter rendered in oil on canvas, embodying the academic tradition of the figure study while invoking a contemporary, naturalistic sensibility. Chase’s interest in capturing light on flesh is evident in the delicate modeling of the body, a hallmark of his late‑19th‑century portraiture. As a genre‑specific nude, the painting functions less as narrative allegory and more as a study of form and presence, emphasizing the sitter’s physicality within a modest, intimate setting.
The composition reflects Chase’s belief in the moral and artistic value of the nude as a vehicle for exploring human anatomy and emotional resonance.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1901, this work is an oil painting on canvas. The composition measures 50.6 cm in height and 41 cm in width. As a nude genre piece, the artist utilized oil paint applied to a fabric support to render the figure. The physical object is currently held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Overview
William Merritt Chase's painting, Nude, created around 1901, is an oil on canvas work. This piece exemplifies the artist's approach to figure studies, presenting a simplified yet expressive depiction of the human form. It captures a moment of quiet contemplation through its direct presentation and painterly execution.
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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.
