William Michael Harnett
American
William Michael Harnett began painting still lifes early in his career, initially limiting himself to the fruit and flower subjects common in 17th-century Dutch painting. In 1876, perhaps influenced by the foreign objects, art, and antiques that he saw at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, Harnett began to paint manmade items as well, such as musical instruments, books, beer mugs, and smoking pipes.
Born
1848
Died
1892
Does this painting fool your eye?
In The Meerschaum Pipe, a smoking pipe is mysteriously paired with what appears to be a small classified notice from a newspaper stuck to the wall. While any narrative relation between the two objects remains elusive, we as viewers are invited to create a story connecting them. As is often the case within Harnett’s oeuvre, the artist’s signature appears “carved” into the planar wood surface, which is rendered as meticulously as the picture’s subjects.
Medium
Oil on canvas
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd
Item ID
1979.7.46
Dimensions
17 1/8 x 12 1/8 in. (43.5 x 30.8 cm)
Date
1886
Country
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Artist name
William Michael Harnett
Artwork location