Wayne Thiebaud
Pie Rows
1961
oil on canvas
46 x 66 cm

I was curious to see this exhibition not least because a young artist was taken on at Waddington Galleries at some point whose work had a direct debt to Thiebaud's repetitions.

Wayne Thiebaud
Caged Pie
1962
oil on canvas
51.1 x 71.4 cm

The representation of 'cultural' markers must be central to 'Pop Art' and here there are also references to the art of illustration. While some aspects are closely observed 'shorthand' can be utilised in close proximity leaving a space for casual association.

Wayne Thiebaud
Candy Counter
1962
oil on canvas
91.8 x 120.7 cm

I was curious from the illustrations I had seen ahead of visiting as to how the empty space was really handled and interested to see the persistent brush marking. Again there is close observation of colour and tone and then an apparently casual application.

Wayne Thiebaud
Five Hot Dogs
1961
oil on canvas

The carefully observed shadow values appear to be overlaid on the painterly ground here which seems a bit strange.

Wayne Thiebaud
Cakes
1963
oil on canvas
152.4 x 182.9 cm

It was only when I started to put this page together that I realised the The Courtauld Gallery wall labels and the handout booklet did not have the sizes of the paintings. I will attempt to track them down but do not hold out much hope of success; those given still to be confirmed!

Wayne Thiebaud
Delicatessen Counter
1963
oil on canvas

Cakes exhibits very carefully presented shadows in the foreground which are less clearly articulated towards the back of the composition.

Delicatessen Counter seems somewhat less sure of the products depicted.

Delicatessen Counter, detail

I took a detailed shot of Delicatessen to see if I could work out the extra colour incidents but have not reached any conclusion.

Wayne Thiebaud
Pie Counter
1963
oil on canvas
75.7 x 91.3 cm Whitney Collection

I think that I prefer the smaller busier compositions where the repetitions are artfully not exact.

Wayne Thiebaud
Three Cones
1964
oil on canvas

Three cones is quite clearly strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.

Wayne Thiebaud
Delicatessen Counter
1962
oil on canvas
76.8 x 92.1 cm

I am glad to have made the effort to see this exhibition and then, of course, have a quick look at the permanent collection, just through the doorway; another world!