As a central figure in the Boston Expressionism movement, Zerbe used this wax-based medium to create surfaces with a distinct tactile quality. His work often features heavy textures and a sense of physical weight. In pieces like Dark Cardinal and The Face of the Big Lie, he combined European Expressionist sensibilities with a focus on social commentary. His compositions, such as Garden, Brantôme, France or Hex, demonstrate how he used the fast-cooling wax to build up layers of colour.

Collectors today value Zerbe for his technical innovation and his ability to convey mood through material. His Melancholia triptych and Pastorale show a mastery of symbolic imagery that fits well in modern interiors. The matte finish of his encaustic style translates well to high-quality fine art prints. These works offer a connection to the mid-century American avant-garde while maintaining a link to the older European traditions Zerbe brought with him from Germany.