the collector's folio

William Harnett Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by William Harnett our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide William Harnett · 1848 – 1892

For Sunday's Dinner

1888 · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

Discover Harnett's unsettling 1888 trompe-l'œil still life of a hanging rooster, masterfully capturing American Realism's illusion of life and death.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17724 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life: Writing Table

1877 · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Explore William Michael Harnett’s ‘Still Life: Writing Table’ – a masterful 1877 oil painting showcasing trompe-l'œil realism & intricate detail. Discover American art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life: Violin and Music (also known as Music Literature)

1888 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york

William Harnett's 'Still Life: Violin & Music' is a captivating trompe-l'oeil masterpiece, blending everyday objects with musical instruments. Explore the illusion and artistry of this iconic 1888 painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The Banker's Table

1877 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 20 x 31 cm

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Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

New York Daily News

1888 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 14 x 19 cm

Discover Harnett's masterful trompe-l'œil still life from 1888, capturing everyday New York details with incredible realism; own a piece of illusionary art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Old Models

1892 · Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17723 × 44 cm Commission this artwork

For Sunday's Dinner

1888 · Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · original 94.3 x 53.6cm

This 1888 trompe l'oeil by William Michael Harnett depicts a plucked chicken. Explore this masterful illusion today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17724 × 42 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29754 × 94 cm Commission at original size

Munich Still Life

1882 · Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas

William Michael Harnett’s "Munich Still Life" is a captivating 1882 trompe-l'œil masterpiece that brilliantly mimics everyday objects, creating an illusion of reality. This Irish-American artist’s meticulous attention to detail and mastery of light elevates a simple still life into a stunning work of art – discover or own this timeless piece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

The Meerschaum

1886 · Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco

Explore William Harnett’s ‘The Meerschaum,’ a stunning trompe-l'œil masterpiece! Discover this 1886 oil painting’s realism, detail & melancholic beauty. A unique American art piece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Ease

1887 · Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth

Experience the serene American Realism of William Michael Harnett's 1887 still life, Ease, a masterful study of everyday objects you can own today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17734 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life

1875 · Reading Public Museum, Reading

A vibrant trompe-l'oeil display of luscious fruits in a basket by master illusionist William Michael Harnett, capturing the rich textures of 1875 realism to bring timeless elegance to your private collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life

1888 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 35.6 x 43.5cm

This hyper-realistic trompe l'oeil still life by William Harnett captures a scholarly mood. Explore this masterful illusion today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19344 × 36 cm Commission at original size

Still Life with Bust of Dante

1883 · High Museum of Art, Atlanta

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Alas, Poor Yorick

1877 · Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life with Letter to Thomas B. Clarke

1879 · Addison Gallery of American Art, Massachusetts

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life with Flute, Vase and Roman Lamp

1885 · Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life with the Toledo Blade

1886 · Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo · original 56.1 x 66.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25867 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Still Life with Bric-a-Brac

1878 · Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Mortality and Immortality

1876

A haunting trompe l'oeil skull rests upon musical notes in William Michael Harnett's 1876 masterpiece Mortality and Immortality, a profound study of life and art that invites you to explore its timeless beauty.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life with Pewter Candlestick and Clarinet

1886 · Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life: Ten-Cent Bill

1879 · Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Explore William Michael Harnett’s ‘Still Life: Ten-Cent Bill’ – a captivating 1879 hand-drawn masterpiece of decay & history. A unique trompe-l'œil showcasing aged paper & poignant symbolism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

LOBSTER AND LE FIGARO

1882 · Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati · original 29.2 x 22.9cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Munchener Bote

1881 · Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Materials for a Leisure Hour

1879 · Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life with Three Castles Tobacco

1880 · Brooklyn Museum, New York City

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 117 artworks by William Harnett
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

William Harnett

1848 – 1892

Quick facts

Creative periodsmature period
Color intensitymonochromatic, balanced
Works on APS117
Vibedramatic, calm
Mediumsoil on canvas
Lifespan44 years
Topics exploredlife, still life, music, trompe l'oeil, fruits
Copyright statusPublic domain

Biography

William Michael Harnett: The Illusionist of Everyday Life

William Michael Harnett (1848 – 1892) stands as a singular figure in American art history, celebrated for his masterful trompe-l'œil paintings that elevate the mundane into breathtaking illusions. Born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, Harnett’s early life was marked by emigration to Philadelphia shortly after his birth, shaping him into an artist deeply rooted in both European tradition and burgeoning American realism. His formative years were spent honing skills in engraving design on table silver – a craft that instilled precision and attention to detail – alongside pursuing formal artistic training at institutions like the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Cooper Union.

Early Training & Technique: Harnett’s dedication to mastering technique began with night classes at Penn and NYAD, where he absorbed influences from luminaries like Raphael Peale Jr., who pioneered tabletop still life in America. This influence is palpable in Harnett's distinctive style – a deliberate departure from prevailing academic conventions.
The Trompe-l’œil Vision: Harnett’s breakthrough came with his embrace of trompe-l’œil, a technique borrowed from 17th-century Dutch masters like Pieter Claesz. Unlike traditional depictions that strive for accurate representation, trompe-l'œil seeks to deceive the eye, creating an illusion of depth and dimensionality within a flat surface. Harnett skillfully manipulated perspective, shading, and texture to achieve this astonishing feat.

Notable Works & Artistic Style

Harnett’s oeuvre is characterized by its unwavering focus on commonplace objects – pipe, newspaper, tobacco pouch, violin, apple, wine bottle—presented with an extraordinary level of realism that borders on hallucinatory. His paintings aren't merely representations; they are invitations to engage in a perceptual puzzle. Consider “After the Hunt,” a quartet of canvases depicting hunting paraphernalia and deceased game animals. Harnett’s meticulous rendering captures every nuance of texture and light, exploiting the limitations of trompe-l'œil to heighten its impact. The shallow space of these paintings is crucial – any movement by the viewer disrupts the illusion, emphasizing Harnett’s genius in manipulating visual perception.

“After the Hunt” Series: This series exemplifies Harnett’s technique perfectly, demonstrating how he utilizes optical tricks to create a convincing illusion of depth within a confined space.
Recurring Themes: Recurring motifs include instruments (particularly violins), tobacco pouches, and meticulously arranged fruit – objects that speak to both the artist's personal interests and his broader engagement with artistic precedents.

Recognition & Legacy

Harnett’s work gained considerable acclaim during his lifetime and continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. Museums such as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the American Museum of Natural History, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art proudly display his paintings, ensuring that his vision persists across generations. Harnett's influence extends beyond stylistic imitation; he championed a new approach to realism—one that prioritized illusionistic depth over mere surface accuracy. His legacy is cemented in the works of artists who followed him, particularly Jefferson David Chalfant, whose trompe-l’œil technique owes considerable debt to Harnett’s pioneering vision.

Further Exploration

To delve deeper into William Michael Harnett's artistic journey and explore his captivating paintings, visit WikiOO.org for detailed information about his life and oeuvre. Also consider exploring the collections of institutions like Residenz in Munich and The Philadelphia Museum of Art to experience Harnett’s art firsthand.

Questions & Answers

In which historical period did William Harnett work?

William Harnett worked in the 19th-Century period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

Can I visit a virtual museum of William Harnett's works?

The 3D Museum of William Harnett is a page that displays the artist's artworks in a virtual three-dimensional gallery.

Where are William Harnett's artworks mapped by subject?

William Harnett's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Collector's quiz

Where was William Michael Harnett born?
What technique is Harnett primarily known for?
Which museum houses a significant collection of Harnett’s paintings?
What was Harnett's early profession before pursuing painting?
Harnett’s ‘After the Hunt’ series is notable for its use of what optical illusion?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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