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William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin, 1886, National
Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mellon Scaife
in honor of Paul Mellon 1993.15.1 |
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The
Old Violin
The public was fascinated
by The Old Violin, the somber trompe l'oeil still life created
by William Harnett in 1886. People would reach out to touch the violin
or try to grasp the envelope to determine if the objects were real or
painted. Thanks to a widely distributed chromolithograph, The Old Violin
would become an icon of American art, inspiring a group of illusionist
painters—including John F. Peto—to make their own versions.
 
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