Explore the Historical information of this artwork, U.S.A. (painting).
In 1886, William Harnett, another noted photorealistic painter, was arrested for counterfeiting. This apparently inspired Haberle to produce an abundance of exact facsimiles of American currency, particularly in his first four years as a painter, from 1887 to 1891. Haberle originally trained as an engraver, which helped prepare him for his particular artistic calling. Despite warnings from the Secret Service, Haberle persisted in producing such images in his particularly wry manner.While governmental rebukes only encouraged Haberle to greater productivity, the accusation of trickery enraged him. When U.S.A. was first exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, a newspaper critic declared that the artist must have used actual money and stamps. Haberle immediately traveled to Chicago and, armed with magnifying glass, paint remover, and art experts, categorically proved that the canvas was covered only in oil paint.
Art Institute of Chicago canvas William Harnett Secret Service