In a letter, dated October 12, 1994, Ronald Pisano authenticates this painting and discusses it at length. He writes "Near the end of his distinguished career as an artist, Chase was particularly renowned for his still life paintings, which were widely exhibited. Works such as Still Life with Pumpkin and related subjects, including Autumn Still Life (Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts), and The Belgian Melon (The Parrish Art Museum), are indebted to the work of the French painter Antoine Vollon, whom Chase greatly admired and whose paintings he avidly collected (eventually owning about twenty paintings). However, Chase never slavishly drew from the work of any one master--whether old or contemporary; and in all of his works expressed his own vital personality and almost imposing self-confidence in the handling of the medium. Although Chase may be better known for his landscapes, interiors, or figure paintings today, his still lifes were among his most prized works at the peak of his career, and were unsurpassed by any contemporary American artist.

This painting will be included in Ronald G. Pisano's forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Chase's work. A copy of Dr. Pisano's letter accompanies the lot.