Edward_Hopper

Assertion: Edward Hopper is my favorite artist. Thesis: Edward Hopper is one of my favorite artists because of his realist style, his in-depth understanding of light and shadows, and his ability to tell a story. I. Background information, thesis statement II. Hopper’s vivid realism accurately captures life as it was lived in the first half of the 20th Century. A. Nighthawks: a glimpse of life in the early 1940s 1. modern diner 2. mode of dress 3. eating tastes, fast-paced lifestyle, no more home-cooked meals III. Using different lighting techniques Hopper has the ability to manipulate the emotion and back drop of every painting. A. Night Windows : Shows a woman in her night gown apparently getting ready for bed 1. movement of wind thru the apartment 2. The illumination of the night sky by the apartment. IV. His works tell a story to be interpreted by the observer A. New York Movie : shows a woman on the side of the movie theater contemplating going back to her seat. 1. Captures the classic ornamental architecture in the theater. 2. The viewing angle of her sad affect. V. Conclusion Edward Hopper Edward Hopper became my favorite artist about two years ago. After work I went to my mother’s house to eat supper. I noticed a painting in her kitchen that was amazing and it stopped me in my tracks. I sat transfixed on the painting for hours. The use of color and light was unlike any artist I had seen. I found myself interpreting his work as a dark and depressing window back in time to the great depression. Edward Hopper is one of my favorite artist because of his realist style, in-depth understanding of light and shadows, and ability to tell a story. Hopper’s vivid realism accurately captures life as it was lived in the first half of the 20th Century. The piece Night Hawk is a depiction of a 1940’s modern diner. It shows a man and a woman drinking a cup of Joe together while a cook cleans the milk shake glasses. This seems very simple but as you look further into the painting and understand the time period you begin to wonder what the people in the diner were actually feeling and what was their relationships to one another. Using different lighting techniques Hopper has the ability to manipulate the emotion and back drop of every painting. His understanding of shadows created from light coming thru a window or the industrial lights shining down on his subjects capture’s the true loneliness of his projected images. In the painting Night Windows you are looking from the outside of the building looking in. It shows a illuminated room with a woman in her night gown. Wind is blowing thru the apartment making the drapes sway. His use of light in the apartment gives the feeling this is the brightest room in the city. Hopper is a true voyeur, his works show how everyday situations are beautiful in their own right. I admire his choice of great architecture. He always picks such wonderful classic buildings in his paintings. A piece named New York Movie emotions are evident. The woman is standing on the side of the movie theater over come with emotion. The crime drama she had just watched disturbed her so much she looks as if she is contemplating going back to her seat to finish the double feature. This is an interpretation according to my thoughts and ideas while studying this piece. The early 20th century interior architectural features are very prevalent with the thick ornate columns and heavy moldings that surround theater. These features set the mood for any plot one would want to create. In conclusion, Edward Hopper is the most interesting and creative artist of the 20th century. His works can appeal to a broad range of novice and experienced art lovers. This is evident by the displays of his works all over the world. His paintings allow one’s imagination to go beyond the picture displayed. His great love of architecture, lighting, natural settings and the human day-to-day activities are reflected in his work. Bibliography Marker, Sherry. Edward Hopper. North Dighton, MA: World Publications Group, Inc., 1990. Troyen, Carol. Edward Hopper. Boston, MA: MFA Publications, 2007.