© Wayne Thiebaud Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
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Watermelon Slice and Knife
1989
Not on view
Wayne Thiebaud is an American artist whose depictions of commonplace objects, particularly sweet confections, have gained him the reputation as a contempoary master of the still life. Thiebaud's choice of the cut watermelon as the subject of this pastel seems, at first glance, a straightforward one given his oeuvre. The luscious red color of the melon's ripe flesh contrasts beautifully with the deep green of its skin, set against a pale pink background. Our attention, however, is drawn to the knife that is shown plunged into the top of the melon. The composition creates a rather startling tension and imparts an almost sinister meaning to the knife as more than just a utilitarian kitchen tool.
- Artist
- Wayne Thiebaud (1920 - 2021)
- Title
- Watermelon Slice and Knife
- Date
- 1989
- Object Type
- Drawings
- Medium
- pastel and charcoal on paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 383 x 472 mm (15 1/16 x 18 9/16 in.); Frame: 624 x 696 x 20 mm (24 9/16 x 27 3/8 x 13/16 in.)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Carol F. Koshland
- Accession Number
- 2003.121.1