Portrait of a Gentleman William Merritt Chase (1849-1916)

The portrait presents a man depicted from the chest up, facing directly toward the viewer. He possesses a fair complexion and short-cropped hair, receding slightly at the temples. A neatly trimmed beard and mustache dominate his face, exhibiting a reddish-brown hue that contrasts with the darker tones of his attire. His gaze is direct and unwavering, conveying an impression of self-assurance and perhaps a touch of reserve.
The gentleman wears a dark, high-collared garment, likely a suit or formal jacket, which absorbs much of the light and contributes to the overall somber mood. The fabric appears textured, suggesting a degree of richness in its material.
A significant element of this work is the visible underdrawing that peeks through the painted surface. These faint lines, sketched in what seems to be charcoal or another dry medium, are not entirely concealed by subsequent layers of paint. They create an intriguing visual effect, offering a glimpse into the artist’s process and suggesting a deliberate choice to incorporate these preliminary marks as part of the final composition. The underdrawing appears somewhat chaotic, with swirling lines and tentative shapes that hint at earlier compositional explorations or perhaps even a spontaneous gesture.
The background is almost entirely black, further emphasizing the figures presence and drawing attention to his facial expression and the texture of his clothing. This stark contrast contributes to a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the viewer were encountering the subject in a dimly lit setting.
Subtly, the visible underdrawing introduces an element of vulnerability or informality into what would otherwise be a conventional portrait. It disrupts the expectation of polished perfection, suggesting that this is not merely a representation of status or wealth but also a record of artistic creation and perhaps even a glimpse into the subject’s character – someone who might appreciate a certain degree of imperfection or unconventionality. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity combined with an understated complexity.