:The Currier Museum of Art announces the acquisition of a major
still-life painting, "A Royal Dessert," 1881, by William Michael
Harnett (1848-1892), one of America's most important late
Nineteenth Century painters.
Until recently, the whereabouts of this painting was unknown to
curators, art historians and dealers. For more than 60 years it
had belonged to Virginia Crocker Baker in Peterborough, N.H.,
whose husband's grandmother had given it to her as a wedding
present. After the painting survived a serious fire unscathed in
2001, Baker decided it deserved a safer home and a wider
audience; she donated "A Royal Dessert" to both the Currier
Museum and the Harris Center in Hancock, N.H. The Currier
purchased the Harris Center's interest using the Henry Melville
Fuller Acquisition Fund.
The last time "A Royal Dessert" was exhibited publicly was in
1883 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in an exhibition of
contemporary American art. "It is a great thrill for a museum to
'discover' a new painting, especially one of this high caliber,"
said Susan Strickler, director of the Currier. "With discoveries
like this there is the opportunity to learn more about the artist
and to understand his contribution to the field of American art."
Harnett was the subject of a major exhibition in 1992 that
traveled to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National
Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Born in Ireland, he was raised
in Philadelphia, where he became an engraver and began his art
studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In the
1870s, Harnett continued his work and training in New York City,
where he first began to exhibit paintings. By 1880 his success
permitted him to travel to Europe to study the Old Masters, and
"A Royal Dessert" was painted during the two years he spent in
Munich. In 1886 he returned to New York City and enjoyed an
active career painting and exhibiting until he died at the young
age of 44.
"A Royal Dessert" is a feast for the eyes, containing a number of
objects that can be found in other paintings by Harnett,
including the Colorado Madeira cigar box, the cloth draped on the
table, the cigar holder and the section of newspaper - the
Supplement to the Philadelphia Ledger - that hangs over
the edge of the table and extends into the viewer's space.
Harnett was a master of the category of still life painting known
as trompe l'oeil. Close inspection reveals blemishes on the
apples, the delicate etching on the glass decanter with a
reflection of light from the window on the side of the decanter
and shining through the wine, creating a rose hued pool of light
on the tabletop.
"A Royal Dessert" is currently on display in the museum's
American galleries on the second floor until the museum closes
for expansion on June 27. Admission to the Currier Museum will be
free to all from June 19 through June 26.
The Currier Museum of Art is at 201 Myrtle Way. For information,
www.currier.org or 603-669-6144, extension 108.
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