The Old Book 1916

William Merritt Chase made "The Old Book," an oil on canvas, in the late 19th century. Look at how he's built up this quiet world with loose, confident brushstrokes, especially in that juicy, inviting white book at the front. You can practically feel the pages yearning to be turned. Chase's color palette is rich and subdued, full of earth tones. You see the paint's physicality, thick in places, like around the vase, and thinner, more transparent in the background. Check out the mark-making on the vase - the squiggles and curves imply the object's roundness, they also create a wonderful, irregular pattern. The whole composition balances between realism and abstraction, a dance between seeing and feeling. It's a painting that reminds me of Morandi's still lifes, that same quiet intensity, a focus on everyday objects elevated through close observation and painterly touch. Just like in Morandi's work, Chase revels in the act of painting itself. "The Old Book" isn't just a picture; it's an invitation to slow down and really see.