“A Summer Afternoon in Holland (Sunlight and Shadow),” created by the artist William Merritt Chase in 1884, exemplifies the Impressionist movement. Executed in oil on canvas, this genre painting measures 194.3 by 165.6 centimeters and resides in the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
The artwork captures a serene domestic scene bathed in summertime light and contrasting shadows. At the center, a man dressed in a light suit sits at a table set outdoors, with a teapot and cup before him. To his right, a woman reclines on a hammock, partially shaded by the overhanging branches of a tree. The setting suggests a peaceful, leisurely afternoon, accentuated by the dappled light filtering through the foliage. The background includes a woman in dark attire walking away, adding depth and a sense of everyday life to the composition. The attention to light and shadow exemplifies the artist’s mastery and the characteristic style of the Impressionist movement.
