Wayne Thiebaud, Painter of Million-Dollar Cakes, Dies at 101
Wayne Thiebaud, renowned for his cake and confection paintings inspired by Morandi, passed away at the age of 101 on Christmas Day in Sacramento, California, as reported by Acquavella Gallery. Born in 1920 in Mesa, Arizona, Thiebaud initially worked as a commercial artist and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Influenced by Robert Mallery, he ventured into expressionism and met Willem de Kooning in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, he created famous still lifes like "Four Pinball Machines," which fetched $19.135 million at auction in 2020. Thiebaud distanced himself from the Pop Art movement, emphasizing technique and composition. In 2011, the Museo Morandi held an exhibition in his honor.
Key facts
- Wayne Thiebaud died on December 25, 2021, at age 101 in Sacramento, California.
- He was known for paintings of cakes and confections inspired by Giorgio Morandi.
- Acquavella Gallery announced his death via Instagram.
- Thiebaud was born in Mesa, Arizona, in 1920 to a Mormon family.
- He worked as a sign painter and apprentice animator for Walt Disney Studios.
- He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
- He met Willem de Kooning in the 1950s and admired his work.
- His painting 'Four Pinball Machines' sold for $19.135 million at Christie's in 2020.
- He exhibited at Allan Stone Gallery in New York in the early 1960s.
- The Museo Morandi in Bologna held a major exhibition of his work in 2011.
- He rejected association with Pop Art, emphasizing technique over critique.
- He continued painting into his 101st year, driven by a passion to learn.
Entities
Artists
- Wayne Thiebaud
- Giorgio Morandi
- Willem de Kooning
- John Marin
- Robert Mallery
Institutions
- Acquavella Gallery
- Walt Disney Studios
- Allan Stone Gallery
- Christie's
- Museo Morandi
- Artribune
Locations
- Sacramento
- California
- New York
- Palm Springs
- Mesa
- Arizona
- Bologna