Harnett, William Michael
(b. 1848
d. 1892)
Sketchbook, 1870
William Harnett (1848-1892), best known for his meticulously rendered trompe l'oeil paintings, began his artistic career as an engraver of steel, copper, wood, and later silver. In the early 1870s he was employed at Wood & Hughes and Tiffany & Company in New York. His sketchbook from this period reveals his propensity for precision in his sketches of decorative patterns for silver flatware.
[Sketchbook], 1870 / William Michael Harnett, artist. 1 v. : graphite ; 14 x 19 cm. William Harnett sketches, 1870. Archives of American Art.
15 p. There are sketches on many of the pages’ versos and on the inside of both the front and back covers. Entire book is dedicated to sketches of decorative patterns for silver flatware. In addition, there are 3 studies of heads on the inside of the back cover.
Condition: Front and back covers have almost separated from sketchbook. Pages are becoming brittle and are starting to become unbound. Water stains are apparent on the front cover and throughout the sketchbook.
[Sketchbook], 1870 / William Michael Harnett, artist. 1 v. : graphite ; 14 x 19 cm. William Harnett sketches, 1870. Archives of American Art.
15 p. There are sketches on many of the pages’ versos and on the inside of both the front and back covers. Entire book is dedicated to sketches of decorative patterns for silver flatware. In addition, there are 3 studies of heads on the inside of the back cover.
Condition: Front and back covers have almost separated from sketchbook. Pages are becoming brittle and are starting to become unbound. Water stains are apparent on the front cover and throughout the sketchbook.
Forms Part of: William Harnett sketches