William Michael Harnett (American, 1848-1892). <em>Still Life with Three Castles Tobacco</em>, 1880. Oil on canvas, 10 3/4 x 15 in. (27.3 x 38.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 41.221 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.221.jpg)

William Michael Harnett (American, 1848-1892). Still Life with Three Castles Tobacco, 1880. Oil on canvas, 10 3/4 x 15 in. (27.3 x 38.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 41.221 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.221.jpg)

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Tell me more.

William Michael Harnett was an established professional painter in New York who was known for still life paintings of fruit, household objects, and musical instruments.

Harnett's paintings were particularly popular with successful businessmen who wanted art to decorate their homes. This arrangement of objects, including a pipe, tobacco, and newspaper, would have been associated with a male owner in the 19th century.

The texture of the strokes adds a particular 'realness' to the painting, is that characteristic of the artist's work?

Yes! Harnett looked to 17th century Dutch and Spanish still life painting for inspiration where you can find similar techniques. His highly realistic style, known as trompe l'oeil, meaning "fool the eye", was part of what made his work so popular.

Thanks for the info!

Still Life with Three Castles Tobacco

William Michael Harnett

American Art

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Visions and Myths of a Nation, 1800–1890

As the still-life genre became increasingly popular with collectors in the late nineteenth century, artists turned toward what was considered a more masculine subject matter, featuring the trophies of hunting or, as in this composition, pipes, jugs, books, and newspapers. William Michael Harnett’s works were favored by New York businessmen, who enjoyed them for their clever illusionistic style (seen in the way the newspaper juts forward) and their references to masculine pastimes.

ARTIST William Michael Harnett, American, 1848-1892

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

Place Made: United States

DATES 1880

DIMENSIONS 10 3/4 x 15 in. (27.3 x 38.1 cm) frame: 17 x 21 x 2 3/4 in. (43.2 x 53.3 x 7 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed lower left (initials in monogram): "W M HARNETT / 1880"

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 41.221

CREDIT LINE Dick S. Ramsay Fund

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Visions and Myths of a Nation, 1800–1890

CAPTION William Michael Harnett (American, 1848-1892). Still Life with Three Castles Tobacco, 1880. Oil on canvas, 10 3/4 x 15 in. (27.3 x 38.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 41.221 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.221.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 41.221.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Tell me more.

William Michael Harnett was an established professional painter in New York who was known for still life paintings of fruit, household objects, and musical instruments.

The texture of the strokes adds a particular 'realness' to the painting, is that characteristic of the artist's work?

Thanks for the info!