Theatre Marquis Pinball

Wayne Morton Thiebaud

This early color lithograph by Thiebaud is probably mistitled as "Marquis" rather than "Marquee" and is a view looking down onto a pinball machine while the theater interior is reflected on the surface of the pinball's glass, including the marquee at the top of the composition. This image follows a series of Abstract Expressionist prints he did in the mid 50s using screenprinting and lithography. This image shows his beginning interest in the ordinary objects that became his signature for over 60 years.

The artist did both lithography and screen printing in the 1950's while at Sacramento. The editions were small, often unique and were not catalogued. Thiebaud and fellow artist Patrick Dullanty did a film "Color on a Stone" about lithography in 1954 at Bailey Films in Hollywood, CA.

In an e-mail correspondence with the artist's dealer, we were told: "As I am aware as well, he relays that he did not keep records on the numerous prints that he made in the 1950s. He made many in very small editions; many were sold at the various California State Fairs. He also did numerous demo prints at the fair. In addition, he made prints that were unique.

"He resided in Sacramento at that time. He does not have a reason as to why the print was made; he says it was just a subject that came to him.

"During the 1950s, he made numerous lithographs as he did screenprints. The film Color on a Stone was about lithography. He and his good friend, the painter, Patrick Dullanty (now deceased), made the film. He is not sure where a copy of the film would be. The lithograph that you have is not related at all to the film."