the fairy tale 1893 William Merritt Chase (1849-1916)

The composition presents a scene of quiet contemplation set within a vast landscape. Two figures, presumably young girls, occupy the foreground, seated amidst tall grasses and wildflowers. Their attire – white dresses accented with orange or salmon-colored trim – contrasts subtly with the surrounding verdant hues. The positioning of the figures suggests an intimate moment; one appears to be listening intently while the other gazes outwards towards the distant horizon.
The landscape itself dominates the view, stretching out in a gentle undulation toward a pale blue sky punctuated by soft cloud formations. A dense cluster of trees occupies the left side of the canvas, partially obscuring the vista and creating a sense of enclosure around the figures. Beyond this screen of foliage, a low-lying coastline is visible, hinting at an expansive body of water beyond. The artist employed a loose, impressionistic brushstroke throughout, softening edges and blending colors to evoke a feeling of atmospheric perspective.
The overall effect is one of tranquility and wistful longing. The girls’ posture and the vastness of the landscape suggest a narrative unfolding – perhaps a shared secret or a moment of quiet reflection on something beyond their immediate surroundings. Theres an underlying sense of innocence and vulnerability, amplified by the scale of the natural world enveloping them.
The use of light is significant; it bathes the scene in a warm glow, highlighting the textures of the grasses and illuminating the girls’ faces with a gentle radiance. This contributes to the painting’s overall mood of serenity and invites contemplation on themes of childhood, nature, and the power of imagination. The distant buildings on the horizon introduce an element of human presence, yet they remain small and indistinct, reinforcing the dominance of the natural world and the figures sense of isolation within it.