New Acquisition
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, recently acquired an 1886 portrait by noted American impressionist artist and teacher, William Merritt Chase, titled Portrait of Mrs. H (Howell). The painting was given by the Estate of Doris Fondren Allday Lummis. Depicted in the piece is Mrs. Katherinevan Liew Howell— a friend and patron of Chase—as a selfassured modern woman with a serious, unflinching gaze.
“Though the museum has a notable collection of six other works by the artist, ranging in time period and genre, the intimate scale and dramatic red background of this stunning portrait brings an altogether unique aspect of Chase’s oeuvre to our collection,” says Kaylin Weber, assistant curator of American painting and sculpture at MFA Houston.“with this incredible gift, the museum can dramatically enhance our presentation of one of the great American masters of 19th century, showcasing his broad range and the development of his styles.” The relatively small scale of this canvas along with its close-cropped compositional format suggests the portrait was painted for the sitter’s husband or close family for their personal enjoyment rather than exhibition. Greatly influenced by Frans Hals, Anthony Van Dyck and Diego Velásquez, Chase used a rich, earthy palette and bold, gestural brushwork in this portrait. In many ways, color and texture are the main focuses of this painting. The sensitive differentiation of textures between the textiles of Mrs. Howell’s elaborate costume and the radiance of her pale face embody the artist’s sophisticated technical skills. Chase became known for these assertive images of women, which underscored his well-known support of female artists and art students.