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After the Hunt: William Harnett and Other American Still Life Painters, 1870-1900
by Frankenstein, Alfred
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Overview
Overview
In 1887, during the Minneapolis State Fair, the renowned trompe l'oeil painting The Old Violin by William Michael Harnett was on display, captivating audiences with its lifelike depiction of a violin hanging on a pair of wooden shutters. So convincing was the artwork that it prompted debates among viewers about whether it was a painting or a real object, and in some cities, a guard was employed to prevent people from touching the artwork to settle the matter. However, not everyone was enamored with Harnett's style. Reverend Doctor F. T. Gates, in a sermon following the fair, criticized The Old Violin, calling it "a mere piece of legerdemain" with no higher artistic purpose beyond deceiving the viewer's eye. This reaction reflects a broader cultural divide of the time, where Harnett's meticulous realism was admired by some but dismissed by others for lacking moral or spiritual depth. Despite these criticisms, Harnett's reputation has only grown, cemented further by art historians and co
- Format: Hardback
- Author: Frankenstein, Alfred
- Condition: Good
- Publisher: University of California Press
- Publication Year: 1969