Bring The Morgan Library’s ‘Wayne Thiebaud, Draftsman’ Show Home with You

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For fans craving Thiebaud, Sotheby’s is offering five works on paper by the artist in its summer online auctions: Contemporary Prints and Multiples Online (6–19 July, Online) and Contemporary Art Online: NYC (13–20 July, Online).

Before Wayne Thiebaud painted drool-worthy pies and cakes, the legendary Californian artist was a cartoonist and commercial illustrator. In Wayne Thiebaud, Draftsman, The Morgan Library & Museum in New York spotlights this lesser-known side of Thiebaud by exploring his full range of works on paper for the first time. While pastel confections are included, the exhibition also features watercolors, charcoal drawings, cartoons, doodles and sketches, each uniquely reflecting how adept Thiebaud was at embracing the potential of each medium, no matter the subject. 

^{WAYNE THIEBAUD, HALF CAKES. ESTIMATE $6,000–8,000.}

Among the desserts in the Morgan's show are Shelf of Pies, Nine Jelly Apples, Candy Sticks, Ice Cream Cone and Cakes No. 1. Sotheby’s Contemporary Prints and Multiples Online auction (6–19 July, Online) has four Thiebaud works that will also satisfy sweet tooths. Lots 1 and 2, Suckers State II and Suckers State I present two versions of striped lollipops. As evidenced by these prints and those in Wayne Thiebaud, Draftsman, the artist could achieve sheen and other visual effects in a black and white palette as easily as in color. Similarly with Half Cakes, lot 4, Thiebaud conveys through the use of positive and negative space that each cake is a different flavor – a minimal yet genius graphic treatment.

^{WAYNE THIEBAUD, SUCKERS STATE II. ESTIMATE $6,000–8,000.}

In Thiebaud’s Candy Counter, lot 3, the viewer is treated to a wider shot of bonbons on display, where on the right side of the image, the composition evokes Candy Sticks and Jelly Apples from The Morgan’s current exhibition. Thiebaud was fascinated by buffets, spreads and the concept of meticulously arranging objects to entice customers. “I am interested in foods generally which have been fooled with ritualistically, displays contrived and arranged in certain ways to tempt us or to seduce us or to religiously transcend us,” a Thiebaud quote in The Morgan’s exhibition read.

^{WAYNE THIEBAUD, CANDY COUNTER. ESTIMATE $3,000–5,000.}

The Morgan also highlights sketchbook drawings by the artist, which illuminate his dexterity and classical training. The sketched figures in Untitled, 1996, featured in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Online: NYC auction (13–20 July, Online), exemplify Thiebaud’s hand and are quite comparable to other works in the exhibition. The work is from the collection of Allan Stone, a dealer and major advocate of the artist, whose legacy has continued today – his gallery, now known as Allan Stone Projects, is a supporter of The Morgan’s exhibition.

^{PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ALLAN STONE. WAYNE THIEBAUD, UNTITLED, 1996. ESTIMATE $8,000–12,000.}

Wayne Thiebaud, Draftsman will be open at The Morgan Library & Museum through 28 September 2018.

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