Contemplation 1889

Curator: This is William Merritt Chase's "Contemplation," painted around 1889. It resides here at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. What are your initial impressions? Editor: Oh, she feels intensely present, doesn't she? Almost as if she's just noticed me and is politely wondering if I’m about to interrupt something very private. The brushstrokes seem to capture a fleeting moment of thoughtfulness, suspended in time. Curator: That's a lovely observation. Chase, a prominent figure in American Impressionism, was known for his portraits of women, often capturing them in moments of leisure or quiet reflection. These paintings provided insight into the roles of women and the ideals of femininity within late 19th-century society. Editor: She’s really giving me the feeling of having been caught mid-thought, with the large hat kind of shadowing her face and almost enveloping her figure. It definitely draws all the attention right where she wants it – on her expression and those probing, thoughtful eyes. Curator: Exactly. Chase skillfully uses light and shadow to create a sense of intimacy. Consider her clothing: the fashionable dark dress with a pop of floral detail draws your attention. Editor: The hat reminds me of those ornate bonnets you see in old plays, the kind worn by a character filled with hidden secrets, though the pop of floral detail gives it a hint of playful lightness. Do you think the dark clothing signifies anything? Curator: Her choice of attire does lend a formal air, suitable for a woman of her time. Portraits like this served as social currency, communicating status and conveying a sense of refinement expected of women in that era. Editor: Hmm… "social currency"—that does feel about right. You look at her and you immediately know there is something brewing beyond that gaze, like some unwritten script ready to begin playing out. A silent story… Curator: In summary, "Contemplation" provides not only a study of a woman caught in thought, but also, in its style and reception, offers us a chance to consider social and cultural norms of its time. Editor: Definitely, a quiet little masterpiece inviting us into an almost stolen moment of introspection... I’ll never look at yellow the same way.