William Harnett Sold at Auction Prices

Still life painter, b. 1848 - d. 1892

William Michael Harnett's paintings invoke the technique of trompe-l'oeil, which uses a forced perspective and artistry to create the illusion of an almost 3D picture. Harnett was born in 1848 in Ireland, and his family emigrated to America when he was an infant. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and then New York's National Academy of Design. Once he turned to oil painting in the 1870s, William Harnett's artwork for sale raised enough money for him to travel to Europe.

Artist William Harnett's work is distinct and instantly recognizable, and he was one of the most influential still life painters of the 19th century. William Michael Harnett's paintings include After the Hunt and The Old Violin, both of which show his brilliant technique at its best. Find other absorbing still life paintings for sale online at Invaluable.

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Nov. 16, 2023
William Michael Harnett (American, 1848-1892)
Est: $50,000 - $80,000
William Michael Harnett (American, 1848-1892), "Fruit and Asparagus", 1875, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower left, "Coe Kerr Gallery, New York, NY", "Kennedy Galleries, New York, NY", "Meredith Long & Co., Houston, TX" and "Adelson Galleries Inc., New York, NY" labels with artist, title and date attached to backing board, "F.J. Ulrich, New York, NY" label and inscribed on stretcher, 18 in. x 24 in., framed, overall 29 1/2 in. x 35 1/4 in. x 3 1/2 in.; accompanied by a copy of a letter by William H. Gerdts, Professor of Art History at City University Graduate School in New York analyzing the painting. (2 pcs.) Provenance: Jess Pavey, Birmingham, Michigan, by 1969; Knoedler & Co., New York, NY; Kennedy Galleries, New York, NY; Coe Kerr Gallery, New York, NY; Meredith Long & Company, Houston, TX; Adelson Galleries, New York, NY; Private Collection, 1979; The Estate of Caroline P. Ireland. Ill.: Frankenstein, Alfred V. After the Hunt: William Harnett and Other American Still Life Painters, 1870-1900. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975, p. 165. Exh.: National Academy of Design, New York, NY, 1875; National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; University Art Museum, Berkeley, CA; Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA; The Reality of Appearance: The Trompe L’Oeil Tradition in American Painting, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI, Mar. – Oct. 1970, and listed in the accompanying catalogue no. 20, pp. 15, 58-59. Note: William Michael Harnett was born in Ireland in 1848 and immigrated to Philadelphia with his parents when he was an infant. While he is primarily known for his meticulously rendered trompe l’oeil paintings, he started his artistic career as an engraver and eventually enrolled in the Antiques class at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He later took classes at Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design in New York. Between 1874 and 1876, Harnett switched his preferred medium to oil on canvas and executed a small group—only four of this scale are known—of stunningly detailed still lifes of fruit, including the important lot offered here entitled “Fruit and Asparagus.” This rare group of still lifes serves as a fascinating precursor to his celebrated trompe l’oeil compositions. “Fruit and Asparagus” is a skilled display of texture and color with hyper-realistic renderings that clearly lay the groundwork for his later paintings. The pebbled, round bodies of the oranges noticeably contrast with the smooth ceramic vase and rough, hairy coconut. The crisp pages of the newspaper lend depth to a relatively shallow plane and add a layer of dimensionality that is described in great detail in a letter from William H. Gerdts: “Deceptive illusionism is the key to Harnett’s painting as it was not to the previous generations. And to heighten that, Harnett had introduced the newspaper which stretched beyond the edge of the marble table, that is, beyond the picture plane and seemingly out into the space of the viewer. His mastery of the nature of newspaper and the illusion of printing on it… are qualities he will repeat over and over again in the future and which will be taken up by his myriad of followers but it is found here for the first time.” Ref.: “William Michael Harnett”. National Gallery of Art. www.nga.gov. Accessed Oct. 5, 2023.
Neal Auction Company
Nov. 11, 2023
WILLIAM HARNETT AMERICAN 1848-1892
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Still Life with Stein, Pipe and Match, oil on panel, 7 x 6 in (17.8 x 15.2 cm), framed 10 x 9 in (25.4 x 22.7 cm), signed lower left, PROVENANCE: From the collection of John Kiburz, St. Louis Orchestra and Professor of Southern Illinois University, passed down to current family member 1979 to a private collection in St. Louis, MO
Trinity International Auctions & Appraisals, LLC
Nov. 08, 2023
William Michael Harnett
Est: $20,000 - $40,000
William Michael Harnett American, 1848-1892 To This Favour - A Thought from Shakespeare, 1879 Signed WMHarnett with conjoined initials and dated 1879 (ll) Oil on canvas 24 x 20 inches Provenance: Private collection, Hartford, CT Berry-Hill Galleries, New York Private collection, New York Literature: American Paintings, New York, Berry-Hill Galleries, 1981, p. 13, illus. Barbara S. Groseclose, "Vanity and the Aritst: Some Still Life Paintings by William Michael Harnett," American Art Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1 (1987), pp. 53-54 Chad Mandeles, "Grave Counsel: Harnett and Vanitas," in William M. Harnett (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992), pp. 254-55, illus. fig. 117 The title of this work refers to Shakespeare's quotation from Hamlet (Act V, Scene I), inscribed on the paper at the lower center, "Now get you to my lady's chamber and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come." Another version of this work , also dated 1879, is in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Wax relined. There is a repaired hole to the right of the inscribed paper, and a much smaller one in the background near the upper left corner. Some contours and shadows reinforced.
Doyle New York
Oct. 21, 2023
William Michael Harnett (American 1848-1892)
Est: $10,000 - $20,000
William Michael Harnett (American 1848-1892) William Michael Harnett (American 1848-1892) Trompe L'oeil still life peach grapes, walnut and wine Oil on canvas Signed lower left W.M. Harnett 12" x 10"
Nadeau's Auction Gallery
Sep. 26, 2023
William Michael HARNETT Clonakilty, 1848 - New York, 1892 Cornet de prunes sur un entablement Huile sur toile (Toile d'origine)
Est: €10,000 - €15,000
William Michael HARNETT Clonakilty, 1848 - New York, 1892 Cornet de prunes sur un entablement Huile sur toile (Toile d'origine) Signée, datée et localisée 'WMHarnett. / München / 1881.' en bas à droite h: 28,50 w: 38,50 cm Provenance : Vente anonyme; New York, William Doyle, 4 mai 1994, n°6/A ; Vente anonyme ; Londres, Christie's, 14 mars 1996, n°14 ; Vente anonyme ; Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Aguttes, 21 octobre 2005, n°44b ; Vente anonyme; New York, Sotheby's, 5 avril 2012, n°34 ; Collection particulière, Paris Estimation 10 000 - 15 000 €
Artcurial
Sep. 24, 2023
Attri. William Michael Harnett (1848 - 1892)
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Attributed William Michael Harnett (American, 1848 - 1892) A still life with a bottle of Champagne, a 1880 cigar box and a cigar, a broken Champagne glass, and a pink rose on a white marble top table next to a sunny window. Circa 1880's. Oil on Artist's Board. Sight Size: 5.75 x 6.5 in. Overall Framed Size: 10 x 10.75 in.
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 31, 2023
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT, STILL LIFE WITH VIOLIN, POSTER ON BOARD
Est: $100 - $150
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: Still Life with Violin Year: 1992 Medium: Poster on board Size: 39 x 24.5 in. (99.06 x 62.23 cm) Reference:
RoGallery
Aug. 31, 2023
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT, THE OLD VIOLIN - NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, POSTER
Est: $100 - $150
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Medium: Poster Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm) Reference:
RoGallery
Jul. 15, 2023
STILL LIFE WITH BOOKS PAINTING AFTER W.M. HARNETT
Est: $100 - $150
Oil on canvas painting, after an 1878 artwork titled Music and Literature by William Michael Harnett, 1848 to 1892, an American artist of trompe loil and still life genre. The piece depicts a stack of books with writing instruments, music sheets and a flute. The original painting is now in a private British collection. Illegibly signed by the artist in the lower right. Mid-20th century. Collectible Fine Art For Interior Decor.
Antique Arena Inc
Mar. 11, 2023
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT, THE OLD VIOLIN - NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, POSTER
Est: $50 - $75
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Medium: Poster Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm)
RoGallery
Jan. 19, 2023
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT (1848-1892) Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper
Est: $100,000 - $150,000
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT (1848-1892) Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper oil on canvas 10 x 8 1/4 in. (25.4 x 20.9 cm.)
Christie's
Jan. 05, 2023
Signed Oil on Canvas Reproduction of William Harnett's (1848-1892) Emblems of Peace
Est: $60 - $120
Hand Painted oil on canvas reproduction of William Harnett's (1848-1892) Emblems of Peace. Signed "H. Warner" in bottom right corner. Unframed, measures 24" x 20"
Embassy Auctions International
Dec. 11, 2022
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT (1848-1892) OIL ON PANEL
Est: $100 - $200
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT (1848-1892) OIL ON PANEL Height: 10.25 in. by Width: 13.25 in. by Depth: 3
Lewis & Maese Antiques & Auctions
Nov. 09, 2022
William Michael HARNETT Clonakilty, 1848 - New York, 1892 Cornet de prunes sur un entablement Huile sur toile (Toile d'origine)
Est: €15,000 - €20,000
William Michael HARNETT Clonakilty, 1848 - New York, 1892 Cornet de prunes sur un entablement Huile sur toile (Toile d'origine) Signée, datée et localisée 'WMHarnett. / München / 1881.' en bas à droite Cone of plums on an entablature, oil on canvas, signed and dated, by W. M. Harnett h: 28,50 w: 38,50 cm Provenance : Vente anonyme; New York, William Doyle, 4 mai 1994, n°6/A ; Vente anonyme ; Londres, Christie's, 14 mars 1996, n°14 ; Vente anonyme ; Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Aguttes, 21 octobre 2005, n°44b ; Vente anonyme; New York, Sotheby's, 5 avril 2012, n°34 ; Collection particulière, Paris Estimation 15 000 - 20 000 €
Artcurial
Nov. 05, 2022
William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art, Poster
Est: $150 - $200
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Year: Medium: Poster Image Size: Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm)
RoGallery
Nov. 05, 2022
William Michael Harnett, Still Life with Violin, Poster on board
Est: $190 - $250
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: Still Life with Violin Year: 1992 Medium: Poster on board Image Size: Size: 39 x 24.5 in. (99.06 x 62.23 cm)
RoGallery
Aug. 10, 2022
William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art, Poster
Est: $150 - $200
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Year: Medium: Poster Image Size: Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm)
RoGallery
Aug. 10, 2022
William Michael Harnett, Still Life with Violin, Poster on board
Est: $190 - $250
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: Still Life with Violin Year: 1992 Medium: Poster on board Image Size: Size: 39 x 24.5 in. (99.06 x 62.23 cm)
RoGallery
Jun. 06, 2022
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT (AMERICAN, 1848–1892) STILL LIFE WITH NEW YORK TRIBUNE, BEER STEIN, PIPE AND TOBACCO
Est: $40,000 - $60,000
William Michael Harnett (American, 1848–1892) Still Life with New York Tribune, Beer Stein, Pipe and Tobacco Signed with Artist's initialed monogram and dated 'WMHarnett/1878' bottom right; with original preparer's label on upper stretcher verso, oil on canvas 12 x 10 in. (30.5 x 25.4cm) Provenance Kleemann Galleries, New York, New York. (Presumably) acquired directly from the above. Collection of Miss Grace Hill, Jersey City, New Jersey (by 1940s). By descent in the family. Private Collection, Arizona. Note William Harnett is mostly known for his trompe l'oeil still-lifes, often featuring trophy hunts, pistols, tankards, music sheets, instruments and all sorts of ordinary, everyday items. An undisputed champion of illusionism, he perfected his meticulous style at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he studied 17th Century Old Masters, in addition to discovering the art of Raphaelle Peale. In January 1880, Harnett sailed to Europe. He stayed in Munich between 1881 and 1886, where his painting took a new, drastic turn. There, the artist famously went on to produce a series of extremely small canvases marked by a freer technique, and a deft, miniaturistic, almost microscopic touch. His new style culminated in a series of eleven recorded horizontal still-lifes, all involving a tabletop with a gray stoneware jug or beer stein at the right, a Meerschaum pipe laid flat, a book and a folded, dated, newspaper. Larger in size and looser in technique, the present lot evidently predates Harnett's series of small canvases. It was most likely executed in the United States, just before the artist embarked on his European journey, and therefore provides an insightful perspective into the artist's technical evolution. The still-life channels hallmarks of Harnett's known, earlier oeuvre, and yet also touches on to a new burgeonning style. In the foreground stands a wooden table-top, with edges parallel to the picture plane - a trait typical of Harnett who, unlike the non-illusionistic painters, preferred to introduce tables straight on so as to lead the viewer's eye into deep space. On it, one can spot a beer mug, a yellow pipe, a bag of tobacco, burnt matches and a biscuit - all recurring props in Harnett's compositions. However, the artist introduces a new, bold and dramatic element to his sill life in the background: a folded copy of the New York Tribune. Dated January 6, 1878, it makes of the present work one of the earliest compositions featuring a folded newspaper. The presence of a dated newspaper is meant to reinforce the illusion of reality, and ground the picture in a known, relatable and realistic dimension. Here however, the folded newspaper paradoxically conveys a sense of timelesness, especially in regards to the abstract, neutral golden brown backdrop. This atmosphere is typical of Harnett's pre-1880 canvases. It gives the picture space a definite, shallow limit, enabling the viewer's eye to focus on the table-top in the foreground, and not be distracted by a "noisy" background. In short, it enhances the effect of trompe l'oeil. In his later canvases, Harnett will abandon this neutrality to render a meticulously-rendered background, alternatively draped by a piece of cloth, or fully carved and decorated. Frame: 20 7/8 x 18 7/8 x 3 in. The unlined canvas in overall good condition. Examination under UV light reveals a very old repair in the background at upper center right (about 1 x 1 in.). With pinpoint inpainting (most likely due to old flaking) above the tankard at upper right, and to the right of it near the right outer edge of the work. The work appears to have been recently cleaned as we do not find any sign of milky greenish varnish. See Specialist's pictures for more details.
Freeman's
May. 31, 2022
William Michael Harnett (Irish/American 1848-1892)
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
William Michael Harnett (Irish/American 1848-1892) drawing of a stoneware pitcher, pencil on paper, with various labels verso. William Harnett was the leader and trendsetter of an American school of trompe l'oeil painting centered in Philadelphia. One of his favorite subjects was the tabletop still life that usually included ceramic jugs and pitchers. Drawings by Harnett are rarely on the auction block and this highly-detailed, elegant drawing has no comparable at auction in the past 20 years. Size: 6.5'' x 4.75'', 17 x 12 cm (sight); 13.5'' x 12'', 34 x 30 cm (frame). Provenance: Collection of Dr. Christine I. Oaklander.
Material Culture
Apr. 19, 2022
William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art, Poster
Est: $90 - $120
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Medium: Poster Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm)
RoGallery
Apr. 19, 2022
William Michael Harnett, Still Life with Violin, Poster on board
Est: $125 - $150
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: Still Life with Violin Year: 1992 Medium: Poster on board Size: 39 x 24.5 in. (99.06 x 62.23 cm)
RoGallery
Jan. 19, 2022
William Michael Harnett (1848-1892) - Eleme Figs and Newspaper
Est: $60,000 - $80,000
William Michael Harnett (1848-1892) Eleme Figs and Newspaper oil on canvas 20 x 28 in. (50.8 x 71.1 cm.)
Christie's
Nov. 28, 2021
William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art, Poster
Est: $150 - $200
Artist: William Michael Harnett, American (1848 - 1892) Title: The Old Violin - National Gallery of Art Year: Medium: Poster Image Size: Size: 36 x 24 in. (91.44 x 60.96 cm)
RoGallery