CHASE, WILLIAM MERRITT, an American artist, born in Franklin, Ind., Nov. 1, 1849, He studied painting in oil at the National Academy in New York and subsequently in Europe with Piloty. He made a specialty of portraits, figure pieces, and still life. Examples of his art are to be found in many public and private galleries in this country. He was elected a National Academician in 1890. Besides having been one of the most brilliant technicians of the American school, he was particularly successful as a teacher. He died in 1916.