JOHN HABERLE

Born in 1856 in New Haven, the eccentric artist John Haberle has been referred to as the greatest American master of the trompe l’œil still-life tradition and “the Foxy Grandpa of Pop.” He created the majority of his works from 1887-91; these included paper money, stamps, tickets, peanuts, smoking paraphernalia, and other bric-a-brac. He was arrested in 1886 and directed by the government to stop painting money. His failing eyesight restricted his work after 1898. He was forgotten by 1914, but his collection was rediscovered in 1950 by Alfred Frankenstein, who became his biographer. He is remembered for his playful signature.