The Banker's Table

The Banker's Table by William Michael Harnett

The Banker's Table, painted by William Michael Harnett in 1877, is an exemplary work of trompe-l'œil, a genre that Harnett mastered with remarkable skill. This oil on canvas piece showcases Harnett's ability to create lifelike depictions of everyday objects, a hallmark of his artistic style. The painting reflects the economic and social milieu of the late 19th century, capturing the essence of a banker's environment with meticulous detail. Harnett, an Irish-American artist, was known for his still lifes that often included musical instruments, books, and other objects, which he rendered with photographic precision. His work significantly influenced the American trompe-l'œil tradition, inspiring subsequent artists to explore the boundaries between reality and illusion. Harnett's contributions to art were recognized posthumously, as his works gained appreciation for their technical prowess and thematic depth.

"The Banker's Table" (1877) by William Michael Harnett is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the trompe-l'œil style, characterized by its highly realistic depiction of objects to create an optical illusion of three-dimensionality. The artwork features a meticulously detailed arrangement of financial documents and objects, reflecting the artist's focus on still life and his ability to capture the textures and nuances of everyday items.