The artwork titled “Pure (The Model)” is a pastel piece created by artist William Merritt Chase around the year 1888. Measuring 50.8 x 40.64 cm, this impressionistic artwork belongs to the genre of nude painting (nu).
The artwork depicts a nude female figure seated on a cushioned stool. She is captured from behind, her back turned towards the viewer in a contemplative pose. The setting is minimalistic, with a draped fabric adorning the left side, and the background rendered in subdued tones that accentuate the soft, delicate colors of the model’s skin. The use of pastel lends the piece a gentle, almost ethereal quality, characteristic of the Impressionism movement’s emphasis on light and color. The overall composition is serene and intimate, reflecting Chase’s masterful ability to convey the subtle nuances of the human form.
