The artwork entitled “Alice in studio in Shinnecock Long Island Sun” is a genre painting by William Merritt Chase, an artist known for his contributions to the Impressionism and Japonism art movements. The painting captures a moment within what appears to be an artistic environment, reflective of the kind of scenes Chase was adept at creating.
The artwork depicts a serene interior scene bathed in warm, dappled light that suggests the time of day to be either early morning or late afternoon, where the sun casts a golden hue across the room. A woman, possibly the artist’s muse or a contemplative figure, is seated on a red-cushioned stool at the center of the composition. She is dressed in an elegant kimono-like garment, which is an indication of the influence of Japonism on Chase’s work. Her posture is reflective, with her attention focused on a book or papers in her lap, allowing us to sense a moment of introspection or leisurely study.
The room is rich with artistic details: there is a framed artwork hanging on the wall, and another one propped on what seems to be a cabinet with Japanese vases or pottery on display. Directly in front of the seated woman, a mirror reflects the light-filled window opposite, a device which not only adds depth to the composition but also captures the Impressionist preoccupation with light and its effects. The brushwork, which consists of loose and expressive strokes, complements the spontaneous and candid quality of the scene. The overall atmosphere conveys a quiet, intimate corner of a studio, likely set within the Shinnecock area of Long Island where Chase established a summer school of art.
