William Merritt Chase painted numerous versions of fish still lifes, many of which were quickly purchased by museums across the country. Because of the popularity of these works, the artist worried that he would be remembered only “as a painter of fish.” Chase’s training in the Munich style, characterized by scintillating surface texture and careful brushwork, is showcased in North River Shad. Brilliant white strokes form the fish’s iridescent scales, accentuating the weight and density of the voluminous creature at center. The painting is a striking departure from his better-known Impressionist renderings of city parks and other outdoor scenes.
Judith A. Barter et al., The Age of American Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago/Yale University Press, 2011), no. 61.
Dallas Art Association, American Art from the Days of the Colonists Until Now (Third Annual Exhibition), Nov 16–30, 1922, no. 29.
Milwaukee Art Institute, An Exhibition of Forty Paintings Presented to the Art Institute of Chicago by the Friends of American Art, Mar 1–29, 1925, no. 9.
California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Exhibition of Paintings: Collection of the Friends of American Art lent by the Art Institute of Chicago, Jun 26 – Jul 26, 1926, no. 3.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Selection of American Paintings Purchased by the Friends of American Art and Presented to the Art Institute of Chicago, Nov–Dec 1926.
Chicago, Garfield Park Art Galleries, Exhibition of Greek Sculptures and American Paintings lent by the Art Institute of Chicago, Nov 5, 1935–Mar 3, 1936.
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Centennial Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Jun 6–Nov 29, 1936, no. 23.
University of Illinois, Champaign, Architectural Building Gallery, American Paintings from the Permanent Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, Dec 3–27, 1939.
Kalamazoo Civic Theater, Paintings from the Friends of American Art Collection, Jan–Feb, 1945.
South Bend Art Association, American Painting in the Manner of the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, Feb 10–Mar 31, 1948, no. 15.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary Exhibition, Jan 15–Mar 13, 1955, no. 57.
Southampton, New York, Parrish Art Museum, William Merritt Chase 1849–1916, Jun 30–Jul 27, 1957, no. 103.
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