Edward Hopper (part 1 of 2)
Edward Hopper (1882-1967), probably the most influential realist painter of the 20th century is widely known for his isolated portrayals of ‘a Modern America’. His fascination with cinematic composition derived from his interest in movies and theatre. This obsession would later see him as the forefather of American Realism.
Despite a prolific period during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, Hopper suffered bouts of inertia.
“I wish I could paint more. It takes a long time for an idea to strike. Then I have to think about it for a long time. I don’t start painting until I have it all worked out in my mind.” - Edward Hopper
Hopper’s art was a contradiction of what was seen as modern art. The authenticity of art had been lost through the rapid developments of the Avant-Garde. His attempts to relocate the honesty in art saw him become a notable stimulus for the Abstract Expressionists Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. Nurtured by the European Impressionist movement through his early years, Hopper developed a fascination with the changing effects of light. This element of his work was a recurring point of interest throughout his career.
“In every artists work, the germ of the later work is always found in the earlier… What he was once, he always is, with slight modification. Changing fashion or subject matter alters him little or not at all.” – Edward Hopper.
