Portrait of Dora Wheeler

Dora Wheeler became Chase's first student after his return from Munich. Few American painters then accepted women as private pupils. She later founded a successful decorating business with her mother. The embroidered fabric behind her refers to that profession. The portrait won a gold medal in Munich in 1883.

Dora sits with her chin supported by one hand. The relaxed pose gives her head a less formal position.

The blue dress spreads across the floor. Its broad area of color joins the figure to the lower part of the composition.

Yellow flowers rise from a blue vase. Two principal colors of the setting recur in a small object beside the sitter.

A small table stands beside Dora. Its proximity establishes a space for sitting among familiar objects.

An embroidered pattern covers the golden background. Dora designed luxurious textiles for the family firm, and the portrait connects her with that professional work.

After exhibitions in Munich and Paris, the portrait eventually came into the sitter's ownership. Dora later donated it to the museum. It records both her training as a painter and her independent career in decorative art.