Delicatessen Counter 1962

Wayne Thiebaud painted this 'Delicatessen Counter' with a clear love for the buttery texture of oil paint. Look at the impasto! It’s like the paint itself is a frosting, a kind of sculptural celebration of everyday commercial objects. I love the way Thiebaud builds up the surfaces, thick and creamy, especially where the light catches the edges of those stacked cubes of cheese or butter. The brushstrokes aren’t trying to hide; they’re part of the show. Notice the way he lets the brush drag and pull, creating these cool little shadows and highlights that give everything a sense of weight and volume, but also a playful, cartoonish vibe. Thiebaud reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, both so dedicated to exploring a limited range of subjects. But where Morandi's paintings are quiet, contemplative, Thiebaud’s have this pop of color and a kind of joyful energy, like he’s inviting you to a party in a bakery. I think this piece is an ongoing conversation about how we see and savor the world around us, one delicious brushstroke at a time.