Major Life Events:

1853

Henry Seymour Chase Jr. born 2 February 1853, in Woodstock, Vermont, to Dr. Henry Seymour Chase, M.D. and Sara Haskell.

Bestowed with nickname "Harry."

Dr. Chase embraced dentistry as his profession.

1857

Chase family moves to Independence, Iowa. Dr. Chase tries his hand at farming.

Harry receives drawing lessons from local woman.

1865

Chase family moves to Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Chase takes up dentistry again full time.

Harry studies art under more qualified teacher, and begins painting in oils.

1868

Chase family moves to St. Louis. Dr. Chase takes position with Missouri Dental College.

Harry studies under James Reeve Stuart, sharing a studio with him and fellow art student Paul E. Harney.

Exhibits for first time at St. Louis Fair & Exposition.

1870-1871

Studies at National Academy of Design, New York City, under Lemuel Wilmarth.

1872

Sails for Europe with William Merritt Chase.

1872-1875

Studies at Royal Academy of Art in Munich under various masters, including Bolonachi.

1874

Exhibits for first time at Kunstverein (Art Union) of Munich.

1875

Exhibits for second time at Kunstverein (Art Union) of Munich.

1876

Returns to St. Louis. First solo show and auction at Pettes & Leathe.

1877

Marries Laura Emeline “Emma” Eames, daughter of Dr. William Henry Eames.

Decamps back to Europe with Emma, settles in Paris.

1877-1878

Studies under Paul Constant Soyer in Paris.

1878

Exhibits for first time at National Academy of Design, New York.

Exhibits for first time at Salon de Paris as student of Soyer.

Moves to The Hague to study under Mesdag.

1879

Continues studies under Mesdag.

Exhibits for second time at Salon de Paris as student of Mesdag.

Returns to St. Louis.

1880

Second solo show and auction at Pettes & Leathe in St. Louis.

1880-1881

Living and working in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Acquires his yacht, Bonnie, joins New Bedford Yacht Club.

1881

Daughter, Rhoda Campbell Chase, born in New Bedford, named after Harry's grandmother.

1883

Living in Avondale, New Jersey.

Elected Associate National Academician.

Exhibits at International Art Exhibition in Munich.

Son, Irwin G. Chase, born in Avondale, New Jersey.

1885

Awarded First Julius Hallgarten Prize, National Academy of Design.

Near the end of the year, begins having delusions, mental health declines.

1886

Confined to Hudson River State Hospital, Poughkeepsie.

Moved by his family to Sewanee, Tennessee, under the care of Dr. William M. Harlow.

1889

Harry Chase dies in Sewanee on October 1, 1889.

Buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.