A Lady in Black (The Red Shawl)

This rare watercolor by Chase is an early example of a subject that would become a leitmotif in his art—women in interiors. This theme became especially important after his marriage to Alice Gerson, in 1886, when he often portrayed elegant women (later, he included his children) in his artistic, highly decorated studio, home, or other interiors. In A Lady in Black, Chase focuses on the seated figure, lavishing attention on the rendering of the subtle striped pattern of her black dress and veiled hat. For décor, he includes a carpet—rather cursorily rendered with pale blue and red washes—and a black wooden chair, possibly Elizabethan revival style. The sitter’s partially opened fan, as well as the black and red color scheme, may indicate the artist’s interest in Spanish themes, particularly the work of Old Masters such as Velazquez, as well as modern painters like Manet, who died the year this watercolor was first exhibited. This ambitious watercolor showcases Chase’s experimental technique in the medium. The rendering of the veil across the model’s face is particularly noteworthy. The artist created the soft-focus effect of her features beneath the veil by delicately scoring the sheet to suggest the netting. Her brilliant red shawl is painted with bold intensity across the drapery and subtle delicacy in the shadows of the pompoms. It is the first watercolor by Chase to enter The Met collection.