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A Bachelor's Drawer

John Haberle American

1890–94

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 763

Typical of Haberle’s work in its subject, composition, and humor, this is also the last of his successful trompe-l’oeil (French for “fool the eye”) still lifes. Arranged against a simulated drawer front and rendered with incredible precision are the souvenirs of a bachelor’s freedom, including theater stubs, playing cards, and “girlie” photographs. Other items—including a pamphlet entitled “How To Name the Baby” and a cartoon of a dyspeptic infant—signal the end of bachelorhood. Haberle’s self-portrait, in a simulated tintype at the bottom edge of the canvas, suggests that the work may have been autobiographical.

A Bachelor's Drawer, John Haberle (1856–1933), Oil on canvas, American — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

A Bachelor's Drawer, John Haberle (1856–1933), Oil on canvas, American

A Bachelor's Drawer, John Haberle (1856–1933), Oil on canvas, American

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: A Bachelor's Drawer

Artist: John Haberle (1856–1933)

Date: 1890–94

Culture: American

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 20 x 36 in. (50.8 x 91.4 cm)

Credit Line: Purchase, Henry R. Luce Gift, 1970

Accession Number: 1970.193

A Walk Through The American Wing

A Walk Through The American Wing

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Publications 2022

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Publications 2022

Masterpieces of American Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Masterpieces of American Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art

"John Haberle's A Bachelor’s Drawer: Censorship, Geologic Time, and Truth": Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 55 (2020)

"John Haberle's A Bachelor’s Drawer: Censorship, Geologic Time, and Truth": Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 55 (2020)

Cubism and the Trompe l’Oeil Tradition

Cubism and the Trompe l’Oeil Tradition

"A Bicentennial Treasury: American Masterpieces from the Metropolitan": The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 33, no. 4 (Winter, 1975–1976)

"A Bicentennial Treasury: American Masterpieces from the Metropolitan": The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 33, no. 4 (Winter, 1975–1976)

The American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

American Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 3, A Catalogue of Works by Artists Born between 1846 and 1864

American Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vol. 3, A Catalogue of Works by Artists Born between 1846 and 1864

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The American Wing at The Met

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works by African American, Euro American, Native American, and Latin American artists, ranging from the colonial to early-modern period.