Still Life Fish by William Merritt Chase

This captivating marine composition created by Chase William Merritt, under the title “Still Life Fish”, is strongly part of the great tradition of fish still lifes of the Dutch seventeenth century. Through this rustic subject, the artist expresses a remarkable dramatic intensity, recalling the raw style of Chardin. The viewer finds himself immediately seized by the authenticity of this beautiful staging.

Two large freshly caught fish are arranged on a very dark wooden table. The first, a cod with white and silvery skin, is lying on its back, revealing a bright red belly slash. By its side, a second darker fish, with grey-green and black shades, rests heavily on its side, its glassy eye fixed towards the viewer. In the background, plunged in darkness, the golden silhouette of a brass bowl in the upper left corner can barely be guessed. Direct light strikes the light flesh of the top fish, creating violent contrasts with the dark atmosphere of the entire painting.

The technique of oil painting is used here with an incredible virtuosity to transcribe the slippery character of wet scales. The realistic rendering of the flesh and the damp wood bears witness to the great craftsmanship of the artist. This singular work captivates the eye with its expressive and poignant force.