Books and Lamp
Painting on canvas • Thiebaud, Wayne (School of/Manner of); contemporary expressive realist
Style & Movement
Contemporary Realism with Expressionist influences
Medium & Technique
Oil and mixed media on canvas, utilizing heavy impasto, gestural palette knife application, and alla prima techniques
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 30 inches; landscape format
Subject Description
A dense, high-angle composition of scattered, multi-colored books surrounding a central black architect-style desk lamp. The painting explores the interplay of light and shadow on geometric forms, with thick paint application emphasizing the physical volume of the books.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the thick impasto appears stable without significant evidence of delamination
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 (depending on attribution verification)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired from a contemporary gallery or artist estate based on style
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the post-Pop Art interest in everyday objects and bibliophilia. It engages with the Californian school of thick, 'edible' paint application popularized by Wayne Thiebaud, focusing on the materiality of paint as much as the subject.
Notable Features
Highly tactile surface texture; use of vibrant underpainting visible beneath the heavy strokes; the lamp provides a strong focal point that organizes the chaotic distribution of books.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust in recessed impasto; slight edge wear likely due to framing friction
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning; recommend a deep-float frame to protect the high-relief impasto edges; display away from direct UV light