Keying Up: The Court Jester

c. 1875

William Merritt Chase

Associated Names
William Merritt Chase

Artist, American, 1849 - 1916

The image shows a person dressed in a jester's attire. The person is standing, holding an object that resembles a puppet or a mask. The person's face has exaggerated features, with a pronounced nose and a closed-mouth grin. They wear a jester's cap and outfit, including a patterned shirt with ruffles at the cuffs, and pants with a zig-zag hem. A patterned garment hangs from the left arm. The figure stands on a textured floor, with part of a decorative column visible on the left. The background is dark, contrasting with the lighter tones of the clothing. The image is signed "W.M. Chase" in the lower left corner.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

2006

  • Pisano, Ronald G. The Complete Catalogue of Known and Documented Work by William Merritt Chase (1849-1916), vol. 1. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006, p. 90, no. Pr.3.

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: W. M. Chase

Wikidata ID

Q76457603

You may be interested in

Loading Results