The Old Violin
1886
Hanging on a battered green door, a weathered violin and its bow rest against a crumpled piece of sheet music in this stunning optical illusion. William Michael Harnett was a master of trompe-l'œil, a technique so incredibly realistic that museum visitors would actually try to reach out and grab the painted objects off the wall. The inclusion of a worn envelope and rusty metal hinges adds to the gritty, everyday charm, making you wonder what song this forgotten instrument last played before being tucked away.
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