Bacon & Eggs 1964

Wayne Thiebaud created this etching, “Bacon & Eggs,” using a metal plate, acid, and ink, to produce this simple, yet powerful image of the quintessential American breakfast. Thiebaud was interested in the interplay between realism and artifice, and how commercial culture flattens our experience. He has imbued the simple breakfast with a heavy dose of social commentary, making it feel mass-produced. The stark, shadow filled etching presents a disquieting effect, as the objects are isolated from each other on the table. Think about the labor involved in preparing this meal, in contrast to the lonely scene. The formal composition and careful execution using the printmaking process elevate the common meal. The use of fine art materials and the labor-intensive process contrasts with the industrial food on the plate. This challenges us to consider the cultural significance of everyday rituals, and the boundary between the food on our tables and art on the walls.