“Still-Life”, crafted by the artist William Merritt Chase around the year 1913, is an exquisite example of the Realism art movement. Executed in oil on canvas, this artwork measures 89.9 x 106.7 cm and is a representation of the still life genre. Currently, it resides in the Saint Louis Art Museum, located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
The artwork presents a finely detailed arrangement featuring a fish with an open mouth prominently displayed in the foreground on a dark tabletop. Beside it lies a white dish containing another fish, partially submerged in water. The scene also includes a polished brass vessel in the background, reflecting soft, warm light that imparts a glimmering effect to the overall composition. The use of shadow and light accentuates the textures and realism of the objects, creating a striking contrast that draws the viewer’s attention to the meticulously rendered elements of the still life.
