New York Daily News 1888

"New York Daily News" (1888) by William Michael Harnett is a trompe l'oeil still life painting. It depicts a simple collection of everyday objects - a beer stein, rolls, a pipe, and a newspaper - arranged on a wooden table. Harnett's masterful technique creates a sense of realism, making the objects appear three-dimensional and almost tangible. The artist's focus on everyday items, particularly those associated with working-class life, reflects the growing cultural importance of realism in American art during the late 19th century. This intimate painting, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to Harnett's skill and his ability to elevate the ordinary to the realm of art.