Untitled (Seated Woman in a Yellow Gown)

Ronald Pisano has noted the unusual and arresting composition that Chase has used in this work in which the artist "fully developed his subject, leaving the extremitites of the composition barely sketched in. In doing so, he has created a heightened effect on the subject itself--the rest is nearly superfluous, serving merely to create a sense of space and draw greater attention to the subject. It is as if the artist is actually in the process of focusing his camera on the seated model." Chase has deliberately left the background unfinished and "realizing he had accomplished his goal, Chase boldly halted his work and endorsed its success by signing the composition, the signature itself becoming a part of his masterful design, serving to 'anchor' his artistic scheme." A letter from Dr. Ronald Pisano describing the pastel accompanies this lot.

This painting, executed circa 1885, will be included in Ronald G. Pisano's forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Chase's work.