William Merritt Chase was a prominent American painter and influential teacher who helped shape the direction of American art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for his vibrant brushwork and mastery of both portraits and landscapes, Chase embraced Impressionist techniques while maintaining strong ties to academic traditions. He studied in Europe before establishing a successful studio practice in New York and founding the Chase School, which later became Parsons School of Design. As a teacher, he mentored a generation of American artists and championed plein air painting, encouraging students to find beauty in everyday life and the natural world.