WAYNE THIEBAUD (1920-2021)
Provenance
John Berggruen Gallery, San FranciscoPrivate Collection
80,000
Decadent rows of chocolate-topped pastries are presented in neat sequence, echoing the logic of bakery displays while transforming a familiar confection into a cultural icon. Within the apparent uniformity, subtle variations in contour, texture, and shading emerge, inviting close attention to the individuality of each form.
Rendered in bright, pastel grounds offset by rich browns, yellows, and creams, the image exemplifies Thiebaud’s distinctive use of color, particularly his shadows infused with unexpected blues and purples. These chromatic choices lend vibrancy and a sense of light to ordinary subjects, elevating them into objects of contemplation.
At once nostalgic and critical, Boston Cremes reflects the artist’s engagement with American consumer culture and his distinctive balance between realism and stylization. Transforming familiar confections into enduring symbols of American life, the work evokes memory while challenging the boundaries between fine art and popular imagery.

