William Louis Thackeray (May 9, 1928- December 25, 2017) grew up in New York City. He served in the army as a photographer in post-war Germany, studied art at the Pratt Institute, and lived with his wife Selma in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.. A medical illustrator by profession, he incorporated biological and earth-inspired elements into much of his work. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he produced large multitextured pieces that convey energy and emotions. In the 1970s he focused on photic paintings, before turning to computer graphics later in his career. Mr. Thackeray’s professional work was found in many medical texts and manufacturers’ guidebooks. He also produced cartoons and illustrated a children’s book.
Please contact the artist’s son Brewster Thackeray at BrewThack@gmail.com or 703/508-4418 for further information about Bill Thackeray and his art, some of which is available for exhibition, loan, and purchase.
A series of Bill Thackeray’s notable works follows here. Most have no names. If you asked him what they represented, he would reply: “They are what I saw at the time.” Like all art, the eye of the beholder may answer as much as the artist would. 48 x 47, unframed.
This piece, like the one above, dates to 1958. The two can be seen hanging in Bill and Selma Thackeray’s Pelham. N.Y. carriage house apartment not long after they were finished. 40X48 on canvas.
The artist’s wife Selma sitting beneath two of his 1958 paintings, circa 1960. The chair on the left, and the “Toro” bull in the corner, remain in their Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., house, along with these paintings, more than half a century later.
Another painting from 1958 conveys anthropomorphic imagery with intense energy. 48 x 48 inches, on canvas, framed.
Textures and small lines of color distinguish this 1956 painting. 47 x 30 inches on canvas.
Viewers have seen the heads of goats or giraffes in this warm-hued 1958 painting, which hangs next to Selma Thackeray’s wooden harp in the artist’s living room. 36 x 50 inches, on canvas, framed.
This is a long, narrow painting from 1957. It’s shown in its designed manner, and also resting on its side in Bill’s library. 60 x 18, on canvas, wood framed and signed.
Another dark, intense canvas from 1957. 24 x 49 inches, canvas, framed.
A whole different style emerges in this 1959 painting. 36 x 36, canvas.
This undated work heads in another direction. 18 x 23 inches, framed in a 24 x 30 wood frame, matted.
This 1962 painting hangs in the artist’s living room. 48 x 36 inches, wood framed.
Another piece from 1962 shows a related style with notably different colors. This one adorns a dining room wall. 48 x 32 inches, wood framed.
A third 1962 piece. 22 x 48 inches, unframed.
This 1964 painting has raised elements to it, a lot of texture. 24 x 28 inches, metal framed.
Also from 1964. 26 x 30 inches, metal framed.
Here the artist combines the textures and shapes seen in the previous two pieces with fiery color that sets them off. 22 x 46 inches, metal framed.
Another exploration of fiery colors. 24 x 44 inches, wood framed.
A painting with architectural overtones.
Not all of Thackeray’s work in this era was purely abstract. This one shows a cityscape.
In this painting, Thackeray captures a harpist playing to the side of a conductor. His wife Selma is an accomplished harp player who surely modeled for this work.
If you like the above pieces and want to see more, check out what was hidden under Bill and Selma Thackeray’s bed for the past 40+ years!
https://thackerayart.com/buried-beneath-the-bed-freshly-discovered-thackeray-art/
ThackerayArt.com 