Self-Portrait 1909

William Merritt Chase made this self-portrait with ink on paper, probably in 1909. The quick, confident strokes give it a real sense of immediacy, like he just dashed it off. The stark black ink against the pale paper creates a striking contrast. The lines are so lively and expressive, especially around the eyes and that fabulous mustache. You can almost feel him winking at you, can't you? I love the way the ink pools in certain spots, giving depth to the hat and the collar. It's like he's not just drawing, but playing with the ink, letting it do its thing. The slightly transparent paper peeks through, reminding you that it’s just ink on a surface, but somehow it becomes so much more. It reminds me a little of some of Philip Guston's later, more cartoony work, though Chase's piece has a more playful feel. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation, with each artist riffing off the ideas of those who came before.