BRYANT CHAPIN (Amer. 1859-1927)

Bryant Chapin was born in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1859 and is known for his many still lifes, although he also painted landscapes and portraits during his 40-year career. 

A member of the Fall River School of Massachusetts painters, he studied with Robert S. Dunning as a young man.  Dunning's influence can be seen particularly in Chapin's early work.

Like Dunning, Chapin painted fruit on highly polished tables with elaborately carved edges and deep reflections.  The palette in these early works is light, the forms rather hazy and the light soft.  He spent most of his life in Fall River and taught at the Evening Drawing School and lectured on art.  He did travel several times to paint landscapes in Europe.

Chapin was very conscientious about his paintings and imbued them with a wistful mysticism which made them popular.  His later still lifes are more distinctive because they are set outdoors.  The edges were ideal for heavy highlights and his style was fluid and soft; however, that very paint surface suggests cushioning for the tender fruit.

Chapin died in Fall River in 1927/.