The artwork entitled “Portrait of William Charles Le Gendre,” created by the notable artist William Merritt Chase, was completed in the year 1884. Exhibiting the medium of oil on canvas, the artwork is characteristic of the Impressionism art movement and falls within the genre of portrait. At present, the artwork resides within a private collection.
In further detail, the artwork captures the poised figure of William Charles Le Gendre standing erect and facing forward, directing his gaze towards the viewer, which adds a sense of immediacy and engagement to the depiction. The gentleman is finely attired in formal, dark-hued clothing indicative of the era, including a jacket, vest, and tie, contrasted by lighter trousers, which hint at a refined social status. His countenance is marked by a measured expression and a neatly groomed mustache, indicative of the time’s fashion.
The color palette utilized by Chase is subdued, with a range of earthy, muted background tones that frame Le Gendre in a sophisticated manner, allowing for a play of light and shadow that is characteristic of the Impressionist movement’s focus on the effects of light and perception. The brushstrokes are visibly loose yet deliberate, capturing the texture of the fabric, the softness of the skin, and the intricacies of the man’s features, ultimately conveying a sense of the subject’s personality and presence. Despite its placement within a private collection, the artwork’s rendering of the human visage and its emotive quality retain a timeless appeal and provide insight into the artist’s mastery of portraiture during the Impressionist period.
