“The Back Yard, Shinnecock, Long Island, New York” is an artwork by William Merritt Chase, created in 1900. This oil on canvas piece is an example of the Impressionist movement and is categorized as a landscape. The artwork is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL, US.
The artwork portrays a serene and bucolic backyard scene set in Shinnecock, Long Island. The composition captures the essence of a bright sunny day, rendered with the loose and vibrant brushstrokes characteristic of the Impressionist style. A quaint structure, possibly a tent or a small building cloaked in ivy, occupies the left side of the painting, while the right side opens up to a view of flourishing trees and a well-trodden path leading into the distance. The lush foliage and the play of light through the trees are executed with a palette that gives a sense of the warm, ambient atmosphere. The work conveys a palpable sense of place and time with its informal, snapshot quality, and an emphasis on the effects of light and color over detail.
