40

WILLIAM HARNETT

American, 1848-1892

The Argus, 1878

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower right "WM Harnett. / 1878"
12 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. (31.1 x 26 cm.), Frame: 22 x 20 x 2 1/2 in. (55.9 x 50.8 x 6.4 cm.)

  • Provenance: Richard E. Schmidt, Clinton, New York; Berry Hill Galleries, New York, New York; Kennedy Galleries Inc., New York, New York; Private Collection; A.J. Kollar Fine Paintings, LLC, Seattle, Washington; Private Collection, Washington
  • Literature: Alfred Frankenstein, "After the Hunt - William Harnett and other American Still Life Painters, 1870-1900", (Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1953, 1969), p.168, no. 30.
  • Notes: William Michael Harnett, born in 1848, studied art extensively and became one of America's leading trompe l'oeil painters of the 19th century. Harnett began his studies at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, and then took night classes at Cooper Union in 1871, continued at National Academy of Design in 1874. He later traveled to London, Frankfurt and Munich in the early 1880s.
    Harnett was a master of trompe l'oeil, a style of painting meant to "fool the eye" with its highly realistic detail and illusionism. His work often focused on still-life arrangements of mundane objects, a genre he helped popularize in the late 19th century. Unlike the opulent fruit and flower still lifes of his predecessors, Harnett's compositions are often more pensive, inviting contemplation on themes of solitude and the passage of time.
    The painting The Argus from 1878 is characteristic of Harnett's style. It depicts a simple tabletop arrangement of objects associated with leisure, including a pipe, a large mug, a newspaper, and a tobacco box. By meticulously rendering the texture of the stoneware mug, the grain of the wooden pipe, and the creases of the newspaper, Harnett creates a compelling sense of realism. The newspaper, titled "Argus," is one of several instances where Harnett included period packaging and printed matter in his work, often partially obscured to playfully engage the viewer and deny full apprehension.
    Harnett's paintings, including this one, were popular with a wide audience of his time, especially affluent businessmen who were drawn to his male-oriented motifs and his "fool-the-eye" realism. His works were displayed in saloons, department stores, and hotel lobbies, and some viewers would debate which objects were painted and which were real. The artist's focus on material culture and everyday items reflected a broader interest in realism and the impact of mass production in the Gilded Age.
  • Condition: in very good overall condition; lined canvas; a few very minor spots of restoration apparent under UV

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    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
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