An Artist and His Family
William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) was an American artist, born in Williamsburg, Indiana, in 1849. After studying in Indianapolis, New York City, and Munich, Germany, he became an esteemed art instructor in New York City and a highly successful artist, especially in portraiture.
In New York, William Chase met Alice Gerson who was about half his age. They married when he was in his late 30s. He painted Alice on a lake in Prospect Park not long before they were married.
Alice Gerson in Prospect Park, 1886,
courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Gift of Chester Dale, 1963
William and Alice had a large family. Chase enjoyed time with his wife and children. He showed his love for and tenderness toward his family in the numerous loving and intimate portraits he painted of them.
The Pink Bow is the title of this portrait of William and Alice’s oldest child, Alice Dieudonnée.
The Pink Bow (Portrait of Alice Dieudonnee Chase), c. 1898
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC,
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1966
This portrait is of the couple’s youngest son, Roland.
Roland, 1902,
courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Bequest of Emma T. Gary, 1934
I first became interested in William Chase’s art after seeing this sweet painting of his wife. Alice is sewing for one of their babies in the entry hall in the family’s summer home on Long Island, New York. William titled this painting For the Little One.
For the Little One, c. 1896,
courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Amelia B. Lazarus Fund, by exchange, 1917
William and Alice Chase named their first baby Alice Dieudonnée. Dieudonnée means “gift of God” in French. Thank you for devoting your days to helping your little ones know that you see them exactly the same, as gifts of God.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3