A Young Roman 

William Merritt Chase painted "A Young Roman" during the late 19th century, a period marked by American artists looking to Europe for inspiration. Chase, like many of his contemporaries, was drawn to the artistic allure of the continent. In this portrait, Chase presents us with more than just an image of a young man; he offers a perspective shaped by the cultural dynamics of his time. The sitter is styled in a manner that evokes classical Roman imagery, yet this representation is filtered through Chase's American gaze and the prevailing artistic conventions. I wonder, what does it mean to "dress up" identity? And what happens when that identity also evokes ideas of empire and its complicated legacy? The emotional depth of the sitter, combined with the romanticized costume, prompts us to consider how identity is performed and perceived across different eras and cultures.