My Gems was painted by William Harnett in 1888.

Where can I see My Gems?

My Gems is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is My Gems?

My Gems is associated with American Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of My Gems?

Museum-quality prints of My Gems are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

My Gems by William Harnett (1888) · Meaning, Museum & Prints

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left, WMH in ligature: WMHARNETT. / 1888; reverse: 2/88

About this work

Technique & Style

Harnett employs meticulously rendered folds of metallic ribbon and translucent gemstones, their facets catching the light with illusionistic precision.

Executed in oil on a wooden panel, _My Gems_ is a tour-de-force of trompe-l’oeil still life, measuring 45.7 × 35 cm. Harnett employs meticulously rendered folds of metallic ribbon and translucent gemstones, their facets catching the light with illusionistic precision. The composition orchestrates varied textures, smooth stones, crisp paper edges, and the sheen of polished metal, against a neutral ground, exploiting subtle shifts in value and temperature to collapse space. Handling is crisp and controlled, with no visible brushwork, reinforcing the painting’s photographic illusionism.

Condition appears stable; the work remains in the National Gallery of Art’s holdings, where it has been exhibited as a premier example of late-nineteenth-century American still life.

History & Provenance

William Michael Harnett completed My Gems in 1888 as an oil painting on wood. The work's early ownership history begins with Gimbel Brothers in Philadelphia, where correspondence from January 1920 indicates the department store possessed a painting matching the work's dimensions, having purchased it directly from an individual in need of funds. This piece was likely acquired shortly thereafter by William J. Hughes, a Washington, D.C. lawyer and friend of the artist, who eventually amassed a significant collection of late nineteenth-century still lifes.

Following Hughes' death, his estate sold the painting to the Downtown Gallery in New York in June 1939. The gallery subsequently sold the work to collector Richard A. Loeb in January 1942. After Loeb returned the painting to the Downtown Gallery in 1956, the National Gallery of Art purchased it on May 7, 1957.

My Gems entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., on May 7, 1957. Prior to this acquisition, the painting passed through several owners, including William J. Hughes of Washington, D.C., who likely acquired it from Gimbel Brothers in Philadelphia around January 1920. Following Hughes's death, his estate sold the work to the Downtown Gallery in New York in June 1939.

The gallery subsequently sold it to Richard A. Loeb in January 1942, before it returned to the Downtown Gallery in 1956.

The provided sources do not list specific public exhibitions for this work.

Overview

William Michael Harnett's 1888 oil painting, My Gems, presents a meticulously rendered still life on a wooden panel. The artwork showcases a carefully arranged collection of everyday items, reflecting the artist's characteristic attention to detail and his skill in depicting textures and light. This piece exemplifies Harnett's commitment to realism, transforming common objects into subjects of artistic contemplation.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a selection of personal effects resting on a surface, including a white vase adorned with blue patterns, an open book, a flute, and a sheet of musical notation. These objects are thoughtfully positioned to create a sense of spatial depth and tactile variation. The title, My Gems, suggests the artist's personal connection to these items, elevating their status from ordinary possessions to cherished treasures.