The Old Violin (1886)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
The painting titled "The Old Violin" by William Michael Harnett, crafted in 1886, is a captivating work of art that exemplifies Harnett's mastery in trompe l'oeil, a style that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion that depicted objects exist in three dimensions. This stunning piece features a violin hanging on a door, accompanied by a bow, an envelope, and a partially visible newspaper clipping, all set against a dark wooden background with metal hinges and latches, enhancing the illusion of depth and texture.The violin, centrally positioned, is remarkably detailed, with wood grains and varnish of the instrument meticulously rendered to emphasize its aged appearance. It is elegantly juxtaposed with a page of sheet music, which curves gently around the violin, suggesting a moment paused in time. The envelope and newspaper add an element of narrative, inviting viewers to ponder the story behind these items and their relationship to the violin.Harnett's choice of objects and their arrangement evokes a sense of nostalgia and reverence for music. The overall composition, with its subdued color palette and focus on texture and detail, draws the viewer into a moment of quiet contemplation.
Delivery
Returns
Picture in the interior
Technique
Giclée quality print
William Michael Harnett was an Irish-American painter known for his trompe-l'œil still lifes of ordinary subjects.
Harnett was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland during the Potato Famine. Shortly after his birth, his family emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia. in 1868 after becoming a citizen of the United States, the boy earned a living by engraving designs on table silver, and also attended night classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts, and later at Cooper Union and National University in New York. His first known oil painting, a still life, dates from 1874.