Born in Clonakilty, Ireland, William Harnett became America's best known "trompe l'oeil" [fool the eye] still-life painter in the later part of the 19th century and is credited with being the most influential in that style and subject matter. Collectors of this artist need to have a watchful 'eye' because of the many forgeries of Harnett's work. Likely his most famous painting is After the Hunt, in the collection of The California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

For nearly 50 years after his death, his work was overlooked, but in 1939 an exhibition held by Edith Halpert at her Downtown Gallery in Greenwich Village, New York initiated the public attention that has continued to grow into the 21st century.&...