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.
William Harnett Sketchbook, c. 1870, 5 1/2 x 7 1/4 in., Top left: patterns for ladles, pencil on cream paper. William Harnett Papers, Archives of American Art.
Description of William Harnett's Papers |
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| CREATOR: | Harnett, William Michael, 1848-1892. |
| TITLE: | William Harnett sketches, 1870. |
| PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: | 13 items (on partial microfilm reel). roll 2813 |
| BIO/HISTORICAL NOTE: | Painter. Also the subject of donor Frankenstein's book, AFTER THE HUNT. |
| SUMMARY: | One sketchbook and twelve loose sketches, mostly ornamental designs. |
| RESTRICTIONS: | Patrons must use microfilm copy. |
| PROVENANCE: | Frankenstein acquired the sketches while researching Harnett. |
| ADDITIONAL FORMS: | 35mm microfilm roll 2813 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. |
