Wayne Thiebaud

Spanning six decades, Wayne Thiebaud highlights the artist’s most quintessential, significant, and compelling work from the near entirety of his career. Thiebaud is most often recognized for his delectable still life paintings of confections, from slices of pie arranged in rows to bakery cases filled with intricately decorated cakes to dishes of colorful lollipops and candies. With paint as thick as frosting, Thiebaud’s illustrative depictions emphasize his subject matter’s physicality. Ornately decorated, densely outlined, and starkly shadowed, Thiebaud’s treats sit for the viewer masterfully rendered and enticing. Though the artist rose to prominence for such paintings, Thiebaud is now renowned for a vast breadth of subject matter—steep and winding cityscapes, saturated expanses of the Sacramento Valley, and attentive portraiture of friends or everyday figures. Thiebaud’s prolific career defies singular movements and art historical references. Altogether, he simply reflects something authentically, emotionally, and uniquely American. The exhibition is dedicated to Gretchen Berggruen’s memory.

This show marks the gallery’s seventh solo exhibition of Thiebaud’s work since his first show with John Berggruen Gallery in 1973. The gallery is especially proud to hold this exhibition in honor of two very special occasions: Wayne Thiebaud’s 100th birthday and Berggruen Gallery’s 50th anniversary. We are proud to exhibit numerous works by the artist that are available for sale. Images and preview are available upon request.

You can view the exhibition in person by scheduling an appointment here, emailing info@berggruen.com, or calling the gallery directly at 415-781-4629.

We are happy to announce that a consolidated selection of paintings and works on paper from our current Wayne Thiebaud exhibition will remain on view through December 23, 2020. You can view the exhibition in person by emailing info@berggruen.com or calling the gallery directly at 415-781-4629. Please note that the gallery will be closed from Thursday, November 26 – Sunday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.