Art for the Nation    
The Old ViolinWilliam Harnett, Trompe l'Oeil MasterPainting Money  
Trompe l'Oeil William Harnett  
   
  The Old Violin by William Harnett
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

Harnett positioned each element in The Old Violin to achieve a precise balance. For example, while the violin hangs slightly off-center, the hinges are bent to frame it perfectly within the overall composition. The instrument bisects the angled sheet music, and the blue envelope echoes the music's tilt. The violin bow lines up exactly with one of the door slats; the news clipping, placed like an exhibition label for the violin, further stabilizes the work.



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