River Boats 2001

Wayne Thiebaud made this painting, River Boats, with oil paint, laying down lines of vibrant hues that suggest form and depth. It's so process-oriented, you can almost see him thinking through each stroke. The materiality here is key; look at how the paint is built up, thick in some areas, thin in others, creating a textured surface. The colours are so unexpected; that river isn't just blue, it's a whole spectrum of greens and blues, and even some lavender thrown in for good measure. Check out the dark patch, at the bottom left, it looks like freshly ploughed earth, all thick impasto and gestural lines. It reminds me a bit of Fairfield Porter, with its focus on everyday scenes, but Thiebaud brings such a unique approach to colour and form. Ultimately, it’s a painting that invites us to see the world in a new and unexpected way, with a light touch and humour.