Everyday Magic: Wayne Thiebaud’s Work Offers a Respite from Worldly Chaos

When Wayne Thiebaud died in 2021 at the age of 101, he’d been painting for 80 years and teaching for 54. When he wasn’t teaching, he was in the studio at 6:30 a.m. painting, took a break to play tennis and lunch with his longtime wife, then back in the studio for the rest of the day. He said, “I make a lot of bad paintings.” But looking at the range and mastery of work he produced in those 80 years, he ranks as one of the greats.

He was known for his beach confections and scenes. On closer study...