Did You Speak To Me? 

William Merritt Chase made this oil painting, entitled "Did You Speak To Me?", sometime in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. The free, loose brushwork is immediately apparent. Chase applied the paint with rapid, gestural strokes, capturing the textures of the sitter's dress and the surrounding studio environment. Note how the canvas itself becomes a tactile surface, almost as important as the subject matter. We can see the influence of the Impressionists, who were also preoccupied with the materiality of paint and the act of painting. But here, Chase is also showing us his workplace. He is reminding us that paintings don't just appear; they are made through physical labor, skill, and a deep understanding of materials. By drawing our attention to the making, Chase subtly challenged the traditional hierarchy that placed painting above other forms of making, like craft. He invites us to appreciate the process, the skill, and the context that went into creating this image.