“Pies, Pies, Pies” is a notable artwork by Wayne Thiebaud, created in 1961. This oil painting is part of the Pop Art movement and is categorized as a still life. The artwork measures 50.8 x 76.2 cm and currently resides at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.
The artwork depicts an array of pies on plates, presented in a manner that is typical of Thiebaud’s style, which often features desserts and everyday objects. There is a variety of pies, possibly including fruit and cream varieties, which are rendered with thick, luscious strokes of paint, suggesting the texture and tactile nature of the subject matter. Despite its simplicity, the composition generates a rhythm through repetition and variation, engaging the viewer’s eye to move across the canvas. The use of shadow and light in the artwork is skillful, adding a sense of depth and three-dimensionality to the pies, making them appear delectably real. The neutral background allows the colorful pies to stand out, emphasizing their form and the artist’s skillful use of color. Thiebaud’s work is known for celebrating commonplace objects with heightened vibrancy and is often considered a critique or celebration of American consumer culture.
