Photographed by Scott Wolff. Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

Still Life (Fish from the Adriatic)

Artist William Merritt Chase (American, 1849-1916)

Dateca. 1907-14

MediumOil on panel

Dimensions25 3/4 x 21 1/4 in. (65.4 x 54 cm)
Overall, Frame: 34 1/2 x 39 x 2 3/4 in. (87.6 x 99.1 x 7 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.847

Terms

Fish
Tureen
Table
Brown
Pink
Red
Gray
White
Yellow
Silver
Italy

Collections

American Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is an oil on panel painting. The dark background foils the lighting on the silvery scales of the fish. Three fish are arranged in different directions on the table. The largest is on a silver platter and faces diagonally into the background; it is leaning on another fish whose gaping mouth and open yellow eyes stare at the viewer. The smallest lies on the table the foreground. The only other object depicted is a large covered earthenware jar of a warm gray color in the background.

Label TextWilliam Merritt Chase American, 1849–1916 Still Life (Fish from the Adriatic), ca. 1907–14 Oil on panel William Merritt Chase’s Still Life brings unexpected elegance to this simple arrangement of dead fish. The artist was fascinated by the play of light on their scales and the subtle changes of color within a dark palette of browns and reds. By deliberately choosing unlikely, potentially uninviting objects, Chase calls attention to his Impressionist painting technique and proves his ability to transform even the most mundane things into an exquisite work of art. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.847