1886 1940

Perkins Harnly made this painting, titled ‘1886,’ using watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. Harnly uses a limited palette of black and white, and these graphic materials contribute to the image’s strong emphasis on structure and form. The washes of watercolor create an atmospheric quality, while the opaque gouache allows for bold, contrasting lines that define the architectural details of the building. It is like a marriage between a technical drawing and an impressionist sketch. Harnly was a commercial artist by trade, painting backdrops for peep shows. Given this background, it’s easy to see how he would be drawn to the built environment, and how he translated that attraction into an image that privileges direct observation and painterly skill. He elevates a rather ordinary urban scene to something iconic, a testament to the artistic potential that resides even in everyday subjects. This is where the values of the fine artist and the craftsperson can meet.