Artwork
Plucked Clean
Plucked Clean is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Michael Harnett. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
William Michael Harnett’s 1882 oil on canvas, titled Plucked Clean, depicts a dead chicken suspended upside‑down by a rope against a muted wooden backdrop. The bird’s yellow legs and pink flesh are rendered alongside its white and light‑brown plumage, creating a stark, quiet composition that foregrounds the materiality of the subject.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a straightforward still‑life of a freshly slaughtered fowl, a motif that aligns with the Realist interest in everyday, unidealized objects. By isolating the chicken in a simple setting, Harnett invites contemplation of the physical reality of food preparation and the transient nature of life, without overt moralizing.
Technique & Style
Harnett employs meticulous brushwork to capture the varied textures of feather, flesh, and rope, achieving a tactile surface that mimics the look of the actual materials. The subdued palette and careful handling of light emphasize the three‑dimensionality of the forms, reflecting the trompe‑l’œil sensibility characteristic of his oeuvre.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1882, Plucked Clean was produced during the height of Harnett’s career when he was renowned for his highly detailed genre scenes. The painting has remained in private collections since its early exhibition, with documented ownership passing through several American collectors before entering its current setting.
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