William Merritt Chase Up For Auction 9/2/2010

Cleveland , Ohio -- 31 August 2010

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William Merritt Chase, "Poplar Lake", est. $150,000/250,000

(Aspire Auctions, Inc.)

Auction estimate $150,000-250,000 bidding has started and the lot will close 9/2/2010 at 10:00 am EST

"Poplar Lake" (Lakeside Park). Oil on panel, (L. 52), signed at the lower left, executed in 1886, apprx. 10-1/2" x 14", framed in a wide gilt frame overall apprx. 16" x 19-3/4".
Prov: Private Collection, by descent in the family having been acquired in New York ca. 1935-40. Exhibited in "William Merritt Chase: Master of American Impressionism", Spanierman Gallery, New York, November 2, 1994 - January 31, 1995, No. 5, Moore's Art Galleries, New York, "Paintings by Mr. Willliam M. Chase", March 2-3, 1887, No. 84, Boston Art Club "Pictures Studies and Sketches by Mr. Wm. M. Chase, of New York City", November 13 - December 4, 1886, lent by the artist.
"This painting is also known by the descriptive title Lakeside Park. Chase exhibited Poplar Lake in his first one-man exhibition held at the Boston Art Club in late 1886. The dating derives from the paintings stylistic similarity to others created by Chase during this period. The poplar trees, seen here on the distant shore, are also evident in at least two other works by Chase dating from this period, Summertime (L. 60) and Pulling for the Shore (L.53). These scenes are thought to depict areas of Brooklyn where Chase and his wife, Alice, lived at the time. There is no record of a "Poplar" lake in New York or New Jersey - perhaps there was one at the time that has since come to be known by a different name or Chase might have coined the name himself."
"William Merritt Chase; the complete catalog of known and documented work by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916)"/ Ronald G. Pisano; completed by D. Frederick Baker, v. 3 Landscapes in oil.

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