Signed (verso)

Image Dimensions: 21 1/2 x 23 in (54.6 x 58.4 cm)

This lot is accompanied by a consignor-provided COA or related documentation, offered as received.

Wayne Thiebaud, one of the most iconic American painters of the 20th century, is widely celebrated for his vivid still lifes and Pop-infused realism. Born in 1920, Thiebaud emerged from the West Coast art scene and rose to prominence in the 1960s. Though often associated with Pop Art, his work stands apart through its painterly texture, rich palette, and a deep affection for the mundane. His lifelong dedication to teaching and painting earned him a revered place in American art history.

Painted in 1988, "Three Paint Cans" exemplifies Thiebaud's fascination with everyday objects rendered in bold, theatrical light. Against a sharply divided background-an intense ultramarine foreground and velvety black backdrop-three cylindrical paint cans sit upright, their vivid hues oozing with tactile realism. Thiebaud's hallmark impasto technique is visible in the thick, creamy drips of red, green, and violet paint, each stroke adding dimensionality and playful exuberance to an otherwise utilitarian subject. The shadows cast on the blue plane introduce a sense of solidity and volume, while the cans' reflections hint at his underlying interest in perception and illusion.

Similar still lifes by Thiebaud, especially those from the 1980s, are highly sought after. Works of this scale and compositional clarity have appeared in major auctions such as Christie's and Sotheby's, often exceeding their high estimates. For example, his food-related or object-based still lifes from this period have sold for between $1.5 to $3 million depending on provenance and exhibition history. Paintings featuring thick pigment application and sculptural volume, such as this one, appeal strongly to collectors of American modernism and Pop Art.

Thiebaud's works are housed in prominent institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the National Gallery of Art. His focus on American iconography and his meticulous attention to surface qualities contribute to his academic recognition as a pivotal figure in American painting.

"Three Paint Cans" would integrate seamlessly into both private and institutional collections, offering a vibrant visual anchor to any modern interior or gallery wall. Its subject may be industrial, but its execution elevates it to the realm of fine art-a celebration of color, surface, and form that is unmistakably Thiebaud.

ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS.

Additional photographs and condition reports may be provided upon request as a courtesy only. Any condition report, catalogue description, image, certificate, report, document, authentication statement, authentication opinion, specialist opinion, or communication regarding origin, date, age, attribution, authenticity, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, or value is an opinion only and not a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Yakon Auctions.

The absence of reference to defects, restoration, wear, damage, handling marks, conservation, alteration, or repair does not mean the lot is free from such matters. Photographs are for reference only and may not accurately reflect color, tone, dimensions, condition, signature details, or the true state of the lot. Buyers should review all images carefully, as they form part of the description.

Provenance is provided by the consignor, prior owner, or most recent owner and may not be supported by records. All reports, COAs, appraisals, authentication letters, provenance statements, invoices, labels, or related documents, including any opinions, analyses, or conclusions therein, are provided as received from the consignor, prior owner, or third party, and have not been independently verified by Yakon Auctions. Such materials are for reference only and are not guarantees of authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, provenance, condition, or value.

All artworks, antiques, collectibles, autographed items, signed memorabilia, music memorabilia, records, photographs, posters, entertainment collectibles, and related items are offered based on information and documentation provided with the lot. Unless expressly stated, Yakon Auctions has not independently authenticated any signature, inscription, attribution, authorship, association, provenance, pressing detail, edition, period, origin, or related documentation.

Terms such as "attributed to," "after," "manner of," "circle of," "school of," "in the artist's style," or similar language mean the lot is not guaranteed to be by the named artist, maker, signer, studio, or period. Exact authorship, origin, attribution, or date may be unknown, and the lot may not be included in any official catalogue raisonne, archive, registry, or recognized reference source.

Yakon Auctions makes no express or implied warranties or guarantees regarding authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, condition, provenance, attribution, description, value, or marketability. Buyers are responsible for due diligence and should seek independent expert advice before bidding.

No return, refund, cancellation, or bid retraction will be accepted based on disputes regarding authenticity, attribution, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, description, estimated value, market value, or buyer's post-sale opinion.

Original invoices, reports, certificates, or documents shown in listings will be included only if all items listed on that document are purchased. If only part relates to the purchased lot, a digital copy may be provided upon request at Yakon Auctions' discretion.

Please bid responsibly. If you do not agree with auction sale principles, the "As Is" nature of the property, or the binding nature of bidding, please do not bid.

For inquiries, please contact Support@yakonauctions.com .