Flower in a Vase

Wayne Thiebaud is known as a pioneer of the Pop Art movement. Since the end of World War II, he has been depicting food motifs and scenes of everyday life in his signature honest yet exuberant style, working to distill iconic examples of American society, culture, and consumerist economy. Flower in a Vase exemplifies his preoccupation with everyday consumer goods, blending the conventions of the still-life genre with the stylistics of Pop Art. The pastel shadows and contours outline a typical table setting in an American diner: a single rose leaning against a menu on an empty table, waiting for a customer to arrive. This artificially cultivated rose, removed from its natural environment, lives in isolation within the context of consumerism – just like the soon-to-arrive diners and the viewers standing before the painting.