EDWARD HOPPER: NEW YORK + PARIS
"New York Interior" c.1921
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875-1942), was a great patron of Edward Hopper (1882-1967).
Her museum is dedicated to Modern American Art + houses the largest collection of his work. This year, the artist's birthplace in Nyack, "The Hopper House", is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with a host of special events.
Mrs. Whitney was drawn to the audacious subject of Hopper's work: Modern Life. Until that time, the subject of paintings were largely still lives or nature scenes. His unique iconic style conveys a sense of loneliness, which is interesting because he was both a prolific + popular painter.
In "New York Interior" above, the woman is sewing alone in a bedroom, with her back to us. The image in the painting on the left wall is cut-off + the time on the mantle clock is unclear. This is typical of Hopper's lack of concern for the details juxtaposed with his intense innate ability to convey solitude.
In the following images, notice the lack of people. Even when they are present, they seem distant from each other. Interestingly, his color palette + simply complex compositions register as quite modern,
even today.
I've chosen some New York + Paris scenes to share:
"Queensborough Bridge" 1913
"Manhattan Bridge" 1925-1926
"Apartment Houses, East River" c.1930
"Early Sunday Morning" 1930
"Le Bistro or The Wine Shop" 1909
"Seven AM" 1948
Created using Windsor Newton brand paints, it's quite unclear as to what the store sold. In a journal kept by Hopper's wife, it was said this was a "Speakeasy".
"Soir Bleu" 1914
Once again, here is a working class man with a cigarette, a prostitute, a clown + a couple not talking. All together- but quite distant. The party lanterns are so modern, yet this painting dates to 1914.
All the above pieces plus many more can be viewed at the Whitney, until April 10th.
*For those of you who are living with empty white walls, any nicely framed poster of Hopper's work, is a quick-fix that shows a sophistication of artistic taste . The linked site has 162 of his images to chose from. The museum gift shop offers books, wall calendar + posters as well.
If you are NY based, I would strongly suggest a visit to experience these priceless masterpieces in person.
Only then is it OK to purchase a $25 poster!
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