The artwork entitled “The Consultation” was crafted by William Merritt Chase, an esteemed artist known for his proficiency in the medium of pastel. It is dated approximately between the years 1880 and 1883, aligning with the Impressionist movement, which Chase is commonly associated with. The work is a genre painting, meaning it depicts scenes of everyday life, and it measures 56.52 by 46.99 centimeters. Although created more than a century ago, the artwork currently resides within a private collection.
“The Consultation” presents an evocative scene captured with the characteristic loose brushstrokes and luminous color palette of Impressionism. The artwork predominantly features two figures, seated closely beside one another, engaging in what appears to be an earnest discussion. The pair occupies a simple, yet intimate setting, presumably outside a doorway, judging by the presence of a wall, a window, and a partially ajar shutter depicted with subtle shading and detailing.
To the left of the artwork, a figure, adorned in a light-colored hat and clothing that suggests a dress or a long coat, is holding what seems like a small bouquet of flowers. The figure’s posture and gaze are directed towards the other individual, indicating a level of engagement or concern. The companion, depicted to the right, wears a dark hat and a coat, with his head bowed down, focusing intently on an object, possibly a book, that he holds within his hands. Both figures sit on a bench—its simplicity and solid form contrasting with the delicacy of the shadows and light playing across the composition. Below them, their shoes rest on the earthen floor, grounding the figures within their environment.
The backdrop is rendered with a balance of light and dark elements that frame the scene, drawing the viewer’s focus onto the interaction between the figures. The artwork conveys a moment paused in time, enveloped in a quality of introspection and quietude that is typical of genre paintings of this period.
