Portrait of William Merritt Chase

Attributed to Walter Shirlaw 1838-1909, was a Scottish born American painter who lived in America from the age of two years old. Shirlaw studied in Munich where he befriended American painters Frank Duveneck and William Merritt Chase. Shirlaw exhibited in Philadelphia, Paris, Munich and retrospectively in Pittsburg. Shirlaw was regarded as one of the most important painters of his day in America. His works are held in some of the grandest museums and private collections throughout America.

This work we are given to understand was painted by Shirlaw almost certainly from his memorable days with Chase as I believe it was painted around the turn of the 20th Century as his health probably determined the decision to paint this portrait with the knowledge of his impending demise. This painting shows Merritt Chase in his distinguished pose well known by Shirlaw for many years. This is a rare portrait from one popular artist of another. Both painters were responsible for the establishment of the Society of American Painters and they worked together teaching the next generation of popular students who were to become well known artists in their own right.