The artwork titled “Child with Prints,” created by William Merritt Chase around 1880 to 1884, is a pastel piece belonging to the Impressionism movement. This portrait, measuring 55.88 by 44.45 cm, depicts a young child surrounded by an array of scattered prints. It currently resides in a private collection.
In “Child with Prints,” Chase utilizes the medium of pastel to render a delicate scene with a soft, ethereal quality. The infant sits amidst a disarray of prints and papers, creating a rich tableau of textures and colors. The background features what appears to be an interior setting, possibly an artist’s studio or a domestic space filled with frames and furniture. The gentle strokes and muted tones characteristic of Impressionism are evident, capturing a moment of innocent curiosity and playful engagement with the printed materials. This intimate and tender depiction exemplifies Chase’s skill in conveying the subtleties of light and shadow, as well as his keen observation of everyday life.
