Neapolitan Meringue 1999

"Neapolitan Meringue," a 1999 painting by American artist Wayne Thiebaud, depicts a meticulously rendered Neapolitan ice cream cake. Known for his vibrant depictions of everyday objects, Thiebaud masterfully captures the cake's smooth, layered texture and the subtle interplay of light and shadow across its surface. The composition's centrality and the cake's partial slice invite viewers to engage with its appealing, yet still-life subject matter. Thiebaud's work often explores the intersection of pop culture and fine art, elevating the mundane to the level of visual poetry.