Wayne Thiebaud

Date of Birth: November 15, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 25, 2021

Biography

Wayne Thiebaud was an American painter celebrated for his vibrant depictions of commonplace objects, particularly desserts and everyday items. Born in Mesa, Arizona, Thiebaud’s family moved to Long Beach, California, where he spent much of his childhood. His early interest in art was nurtured through a high school art class, and he went on to work as a cartoonist and designer before serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, Thiebaud pursued formal art education, earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Sacramento State College. He then began a long and distinguished teaching career, most notably at the University of California, Davis. Thiebaud’s work, often associated with the Pop Art movement, is characterized by its rich colors, bold lines, and meticulous attention to detail. His paintings of cakes, pies, and other confections are particularly iconic, capturing both the beauty and banality of everyday life. Thiebaud’s work received widespread acclaim, with exhibitions in major galleries and museums around the world. He continued to paint well into his later years, contributing significantly to American art and influencing generations of artists.

5 Interesting Facts about Wayne Thiebaud

1. Wayne Thiebaud worked as a cartoonist for Walt Disney Studios in the early 1940s, contributing to animations like “Pinocchio.”

2. He spent a year in the Army Air Forces during World War II, where he painted murals for the Special Services.

3. Thiebaud’s work was often mistakenly associated with the Pop Art movement, although he considered himself more of a traditional painter.

4. He received the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton in 1994.

5. Thiebaud’s painting “Four Pinball Machines” was sold at auction for $19.1 million in 2020.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wayne Thiebaud

1. “Art is not delivered like the morning paper; it has to be stolen from Mount Olympus.”

2. “Common objects become strangely uncommon when removed from their context and ordinary ways of being seen.”

3. “Painting is more than the sum of its parts. It’s the emotion that comes through the work that counts.”

4. “Art is a continual process of refining and deepening our understanding of the world.”

5. “The only thing I can think of that’s better than winning the lottery is teaching.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Wayne Thiebaud’s estimated net worth was around $15 million.

Children

Wayne Thiebaud had three children: a son, Paul Thiebaud, who became an art dealer and gallerist; a daughter, Twinka Thiebaud, who is known for her work as a model and writer; and another daughter, Mallary Ann Thiebaud.