Back of a Male Figure 1885

William Merritt Chase painted “Back of a Male Figure” using watercolor. The quick strokes and absorbent paper lend the work an unfinished, intimate feel. The seeming casualness, however, belies the skilled application of watercolor. Chase was a master of the medium, exploiting its fluidity to create a sense of light and shadow on the man’s back. The transparency of the paint allows the white of the paper to shine through, creating a luminous effect. This wasn’t just technique for technique’s sake. The ease in the application of the medium mirrors a societal shift toward valuing spontaneity and individuality in art. While seemingly a simple study, the work highlights Chase’s mastery of technique and the changing values of the art world during his time. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between academic skill and the impressionistic ‘sketch’.