Japanese Woman with a Kimono (1901)

William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) was an American painter known for his profound attentiveness to his medium and interest in his artistic style. Born in Indiana, he studied in Indianapolis and at New York’s National Academy of Design before moving to Europe with the support of a group of St. Louis businessmen. Chase's work was diverse, including portraits, landscapes, interiors, and still lifes, but his style of Impressionism was best reflected in his landscape painting. He was also a highly influential teacher, with his students including notable artists such as Charles Demuth, Charles Sheeler, Marsden Hartley, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O'Keeffe. Despite his diverse creative output, Chase is most remembered for his role in teaching and his contributions to American Impressionism.