Roland

Chase's painting Roland (1902), now at the Metropolitan Museum, depicts a subject that resists easy categorisation — the title suggests a literary or historical reference, possibly to the legendary knight, though the work may simply be a portrait of a sitter with that name. Chase often gave his portraits evocative single-name titles that elevated personal studies into something more universal. The Metropolitan work dates from his mature period of assured, fluid technique.

Chase employs his characteristic loaded brush and confident, summary mark-making. The figure is resolved with economy — a few decisive strokes establishing the silhouette, concentrated detail in the face. The background is broadly handled, warm and neutral, to foreground the figure's presence.