Seven Suckers 1970

Wayne Thiebaud painted ‘Seven Suckers’ using oil on canvas. The composition is orderly, presenting seven lollipops arranged in two horizontal rows. Each lollipop is uniformly circular, yet distinguished by individual color schemes and decorative motifs. The smooth surfaces and vibrant colours of the lollipops evoke a sense of playful enjoyment. The painting's structure, however, suggests more than simple representation. Thiebaud's emphasis on seriality—the repetition of similar forms—brings to mind the aesthetics of mass production and consumer culture. The variations in color and design introduce an element of individuality within this framework, hinting at the tension between uniformity and uniqueness. The shadows cast by the lollipops introduce a play of light and depth, adding dimensionality. In this painting, Thiebaud uses everyday objects to explore broader themes about art, commodity and identity in a society of mass consumption.