A Lady in Brown 

William Merritt Chase painted 'A Lady in Brown,' in the late 19th or early 20th century, and it is an oil on canvas. Chase was an American Impressionist, influenced by the artistic and social currents of his time. The painting is visually coded with elements of bourgeois respectability. It depicts a woman, likely from a wealthy background, holding a book in her hands. The book acts as a prop to signal intellectual pursuits, indicative of the leisure and education afforded to women of a certain class. Chase was a prominent figure in the art establishment, teaching at institutions like the Art Students League of New York. His work often reflects the values and tastes of the wealthy patrons who supported the art world. To fully understand this painting, we can consult period literature, fashion magazines, and social histories to learn more about the cultural values and social hierarchies of the time. By studying the institutional context of art production, we gain insights into the complex relationship between art, power, and society.