William Merritt Chase 1849-1916

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McDougal, Orange, New Jersey (commissioned from the artist)
By descent in the family of the sitter       
(Sale:  Sotheby's, New York, December 4, 1986, Lot 187)
Acquired from the above by the present owner

 

New York, Society of American Artists, Twenty-Second Annual Exhibition, 1900, no. 42
Hickory, North Carolina, Hickory Museum of Art, 19^th Century America Through Artists' Eyes:  Selections from the Masco Collection, 1993

Ronald G. Pisano, The Complete Catalogue of Known and Documented Work by  William Merritt Chase (1849-1916), Portraits in Oil, 2006, New Haven, Volume 2, no. OP.230, p. 124, illustrated

Canvas is lined. SURFACE: in good condition, generally; relining has compressed surface and canvas weave shows through in more thinly painted areas (upper part of picture), but overall there is excellent retention of details, color and pigment texture UNDER ULTRA VIOLET: for such a large work, there is little in the way of restoration: figure is clean, except for a few repaints--scattered dots on her forehead, left cheek and a dash of inpaint next to her left eye; a 1 1 /2 in. repaired vertical tear at her waist; a few dots under her right hand and a dot on her skirt at l.l.; as to the background--heavy inpainting along the extreme lower edge; a spot (about 2 in. long) at u.r. in background; a few dots to her left in background at l.r.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The late Ronald G. Pisano had commented that this society portrait "was painted when Chase was at the height of popularity as a portrait painter -- particularly in the New York and Philadelphia area.  The fact that he chose to exhibit it at the annual exhibition of the Society of American Artists indicates that he was particularly pleased with it and hoped by showing it he might attract other portrait commissions of this sort."