William Merritt Chase (1849–1916) – A Master of Light and Impression William Merritt Chase, born in 1849 in Indiana, was a pivotal figure in the transition from academic art to the vibrant, expressive styles that defined the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His career, spanning nearly six decades, reveals an artist constantly evolving, absorbing influences from across Europe and Japan while forging his own distinctive voice—one characterized by a masterful command of light, color, and a remarkable ability to capture fleeting moments of beauty. Chase’s journey began humbly, as the oldest…