James Abbott McNeill Whistler

William Merritt Chase

1885 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

On his way to Spain in 1885 by way of London, Chase decided to introduce himself to James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903), whose works he had long admired. Whistler urged him to stay longer so they could paint portraits of one another. In depicting Whistler, Chase echoed traits that appear in his subject’s recent portraits, such as that of Théodore Duret (13.20): an elongated figure, a low-keyed palette, free brushwork, and ambiguous space. Although Chase must have intended to honor Whistler and his style with these echoes, Whistler was offended, calling the work a “monstrous lampoon” and possibly destroying his portrait of Chase.

Artist

William Merritt Chase

Date

1885

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Bequest of William H. Walker, 1918