Edward Hopper; Nighthawks (Part 2 of 2)
If we refer to what is arguably Hoppers most famous work ‘Nighthawks’(1942) as illustrated in plate 1, we can identify psychological elements of his reclusive personality. Looking closely, the triangular bar area has no visible exit. This suggestion of confinement is supported by the rounded bubble like pane of glass window; the only visible glass structure Hopper ever painted. There is no apparent dialogue between the four people at the bar however, the waiters glance towards the couple suggest interaction is imminent.
plate 1
The couple’s arms placed across their torso acts as a barrier which in terms of body language, implies closing ones self off from the world.
The only light source within the piece comes from the bar which illuminates the vacant street outside. The peculiar atmosphere created by the lighting, may be due to the new invention of fluorescent bulbs. The composition is full of triangular formation which adds to the aesthetic nature of the piece. If we take the doorway of the shop across the street as a starting point we can make these observations. The green triangle in the window above the doorway is a smaller replica of the white triangle to the right of the doorway. This triangle is duplicated again and placed flat to the bottom left of the doorway. These clone shapes play a subtle but vital role in leading the viewer through the composition. This was no accident but a precisely calculated construction by Hopper.
As in many of Hopper’s works, ‘Nighthawks’ demonstrates the cinematic nature of his work. We as the viewer are thrown directly into the scene and in this case, play the role of someone crossing the street towards the bar.
“Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city” – Edward Hopper.
Edward Hopper, truly one of the greatest realists of art history, died in his New York City studio in 1967. His wife donated their joint collection of over 3000 works to the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. ‘Nighthawks’ rests at the Art Institute of Chicago.
