Corkscrew Hanging on a Nail

Copley employs meticulous brushwork to capture the corkscrew’s reflective metal surface and the grain of the wooden board. Subtle chiaroscuro models the forms, while a restrained palette of browns, grays, and muted highlights creates a quiet, almost photographic realism characteristic of his later London period.

Originally executed after Copley’s move from colonial New England to London, the painting reflects his expanding interest in still‑life alongside history subjects. It entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains in the permanent collection, representing a rare example of Copley’s non‑portrait work from his mature years.