The present lot will be included in Ronald G. Pisano's forthcoming volume, Complete Catalogue of Known and Documented Works in All Media by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916).

Provenance:

George Washington Martin, Martin, Tennessee, 1904.

By descent to the present owner.

Lot Note:

This portrait demonstrates both the bravura brushwork and dark palette reflecting the impact of Chase's studies in Munich as a young man. His signature, as well, captures the artist's confidence as one of the premier portrait painters in both New York and Philadelphia, where he had studios. In the first decade of the twentieth century until his death, Chase completed portraits of countless prominent figures. This work depicts George Washington Martin (1838-1913), who along with his two brothers, was instrumental in the development of the town of Martin, Tennessee. Martin is seen in his dark suit against a brown background, but Chase highlights his sitter's hair and expressive eyes through his use of light to capture the viewer's attention. The portrait exemplifies both Chase's masterful technique in depicting the varying textures and shades of black in Martin's suit and in his rendering of Martin's expressive eyes and knitted brow.