Wayne Thiebaud Clown, from Recent Etchings I, 1979 is a departure from the famous paintings of cake, pies, pastries and toys which made Thiebaud famous. Despite the change in subject matter, Thiebaud’s style remains the same. Moreover, this etching is a welcome reminder of Thiebaud’s beginnings as a cartoonist. In the center of the paper is the portrait of a stoic clown. Wearing a small hat with red hair, the clown stares back at the viewer with an air of apathy. Carefully etched lines illustrate the strands of his hair and the various shadows on his face. His pastel colored striped shirt adds a hint of playfulness. As with his oil paintings, texture plays as key role in Thiebaud's prints as well. Of the etching's texture, Thiebaud has said “there's nothing really that I've ever found in other lines that is like an etched line--its fidelity, the richness of it, the density. You just don't get that any other way.” The artist also remains faithful to his style by outlining the shadows on the clown's body in multiple colors. This creates a visual effect Thiebaud likens to vibration.

Created in 1979, this color etching and aquatint on Somerset paper is hand-signed by Wayne Thiebaud (Arizona, 1920- ) in pencil in the lower right margin. Numbered from the edition of 50 in pencil in the lower left margin, there were also 10 artist’s proofs.

CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ & COA:
Wayne Thiebaud Clown, from Recent Etchings I , 1979 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work):

1. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Wanye Thiebaud Clown, from Recent Etchings I, 1979 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.