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Row of Ties

A work made of oil on canvas.
© Wayne Thiebaud / Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

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  • A work made of oil on canvas.

Date:

1969

Artist:

Wayne Thiebaud
American, 1920-2021

About this artwork

Wayne Thiebaud’s still-life paintings of food and consumer goods established him as an early pioneer of Pop Art. Along with cakes, lipsticks, and toys, ties were among his most popular motifs. His interest in a formal approach to composition led him to explore many variations of this subject, depicting ties on racks or in piles and stacks. In Row of Ties, unexpected color harmonies and inventive paint handling emphasize the flatness and tactility of the hanging ties, creating a rhythmic composition that appears simultaneously real and abstract. Thiebaud’s isolation of these objects against a white background evokes his experience in advertising and his understanding of the visual impact of commercial artists’ treatment of their subjects. While it was common to devalue such work on the basis of its easy commercial appeal, Thiebaud explained, “I had too much respect for commercial artists. I appreciated how skilled they really are.”

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Contemporary Art

Artist

Wayne Thiebaud

Title

Row of Ties

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1969

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

51 × 51 cm (24 × 24 in.)

Credit Line

Mary and Leigh Block Fund for Acquisitions

Reference Number

1975.128

Copyright

© Wayne Thiebaud / Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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