The Mists of Morning
While in Venice, Chase spent many hours photographing the Grand Canal and also the smaller, inner canals. Much of his photography was at twilight or dusk, but on several mornings he and his wife rose early to enjoy a “different Venice” - few tourists and no gondoliers or boat traffic. The city was totally still and quiet except for the sounds of water lapping against the timeworn bricks or the hulls of tethered boats. The mists of morning made the narrow canals all but vanish. As dramatic and awe-inspiring as Venice was in the evening, it was even more remarkable in the morning - a magical moment when the city seemed invisible except for the soft colors of the ancient buildings reflecting in the water. It was a world of delicate hues and magnificent textures – so real up close, then silently disappearing like a dream in the silvery mists of morning.