(American, b. 1944)
Today’s Special
Oil on bronze and copper, 31 x 17 x 12 inches (including case)
Signed and dated: (in oil; on “bread”) “GT Erbe/75”
Inscribed: (casted; on plate) “Todays/Special”; “Gary T. Erbe/1975”
Provenance: Alexander Gallery, 1982; Richard Manoogian; Sotheby’s, 2017; estate of Richard D. Angotta, Ridgefield, CT.
Note: the artist informs us that he modeled the base in styrofoam and had a wood copy made to match by Lowy, NY; the bread is cast bronze, with oil paints; the currency is copper sheeting with oil paint; the tray is cast bronze. The plexiglass case is original to the work.
About the Artist
(American, b. 1944)
Gary Erbe was born in Union City, NJ in 1944. A self-taught artist, he took a job as an engraver in 1965 to support his family while he pursued painting in his free time. He began to exhibit paintings in 1970 and by 1972 he had a studio in Union City. Erbe has had solo exhibitions in numerous American museums; was president of the Allied Artists of America from 1994-2005 (currently Emeritus); and received a number of medals and awards for his work. He currently keeps a studio in Nutley, NJ.
In January of 2026, a national touring retrospective exhibit was organized by the Butler Institute of American Art: "Gary Erbe: Magical World" explores 55 years of paintings and assemblages created by Erbe.
