Venetian Balcony by William Merritt Chase

This spectacular impressionist view highlights the spatial and luminous virtuosity of the artist Chase William Merritt in his work titled “Venetian Balcony”. This original composition falls within the fascination for Venice that animated painters of the late nineteenth century. Here, the painter plays on the contrast between the interior and exterior to translate the city’s brilliance. The painting conveys a sense of cozy mystery.

On the right, the room’s grand interior is plunged into dense and dramatic shadow, revealing the golden silhouette of a richly carved Rococo style console table. A small decorative elephant sculpture sits on top of this dark wood furniture. On the left, a large French window opens wide onto a sculpted stone balcony, flooded with dazzling summer sunlight. Beyond the stone balustrade, one can clearly see the sparkling water of the Grand Canal where a distant black gondola glides. In the far background, several historic and magnificent Venetian palaces with light-colored facades stand proudly under a pale, hazy and beautiful sky.

The artist enhances his subject through a vigorous pictorial technique and a keen sense of light perspective. His technical mastery of oil painting allows him to restore the brilliance of baroque gilding against the dazzling glow of the Venetian atmosphere. This masterpiece of atmosphere brilliantly celebrates Italian romanticism.