When One is Old 1883

William Merritt Chase created this oil painting, titled ‘When One is Old,’ sometime during his career. Chase’s interest in the effects of light and loose brushwork are apparent here, but so is his interest in a different kind of subject matter than the portraits and street scenes for which he is best known. Here we see an elderly woman, presumably a peasant, sitting quietly and reading. The scene feels very Northern European, perhaps Dutch, in its intimate portrayal of domestic life. By the late 19th century, paintings of peasant life had become very popular, particularly with urban audiences, even as they seemed increasingly remote from modern life. Chase was an American who trained in Europe and helped to establish a market for European painting in the United States. His choice of subject matter and style, as well as the way the painting was marketed and sold, reflected the values and interests of institutions such as the art academy and commercial gallery. When we look at art, we need to look at the complex social contexts that shape not only its production but also its reception. By researching exhibition histories, critical reviews, and biographical information, we can learn a lot about the ever-evolving cultural life of art.