Wayne Thiebaud is well known for his colorful paintings, often featuring decadent desserts or colorful gumball machines, but the painter actually has a varied portfolio, frequently inspired by some of art history’s most iconic artists. In a recently opened exhibition, the Legion of Honor explores Theibaud’s works, specifically through the lens of the works he reinterpreted.
Thiebaud was always open about his love for art history and how it influenced his own work, stating: “It’s hard for me to think of artists who weren’t influential on me because I’m such an obsessive thief. One thing I’m cranky about is that people don’t realize painting is all one tradition. I hate dividing it. It’s like saying there’s something called California mathematics. The conventions of painting have always been the same, and they’re the same with abstract and realist painting.”
As you enter the exhibition, you’ll notice gallery walls filled with works by various artists, all from Thiebaud’s personal collection. His collection is impressive, with pieces by Richard Diebenkorn, Paul Cézanne, Henri Rousseau, and Henri Matisse, among many other major artists.
The rest of the exhibition features over 60 original works. While he is often thought of as a realist painter, elements of pop art, abstraction, and surrealism are all prevalent. Thick brush strokes on his paintings add dimension that is only noticeable in person. Thiebaud is able to make white paint look like sugary frosting while adding delightful pops of colors throughout his works.
The Legion of Honor is hosting a Cake Picnic on Saturday, March 29, to celebrate the new exhibition, with approximately 1,000 people signed up to bring a cake to the event. Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art is currently open at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The exhibition will run until August 17, 2025, and tickets for the exhibition will also give you entry to the rest of the museum.