Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, oil on canvas, United States ca. 1942, The Art Institute, Chicago.
Nighthawks is a painting portraying the feelings of surrealness and loneliness. Edward Hopper stated that Nighthawks’ inspiration came from a restaurant in New York City’s Greenwich Avenue. The two streets meet in an almost curved way, shadowed by the night. The painting, holding its mysterious narrative, has a timeless, contemplative feel, transcending the thoughts of one’s interpretation. This is one of the most renowned paintings of the twentieth century due to its technique and resemblance to the world known today. It depicts a 24-hour diner in which three separate customers, suffocated by their thoughts and contemplations, have come together. Hopper’s understanding of light in art made for limitless possibilities in the beauty of his work. The bright yellow lights spreading onto the sidewalk outside make for an updated piece for its time. This variation of light had just started its use in the early 1940s, around the time Hopper made this piece. The eerie glow brightens the dark pointed corners of the abandoned streets. There is no entrance present to the diner in the painting to draw the viewer in limitlessly. The four unique night dwellers are separate from the viewer as they are each their own. The red-haired woman symbolizes Hopper’s wife, Jo. Hopper has denied the allegations that he included isolation and emptiness in his work, but stated that in Nighthawks, “unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city.” The piece was created in the United States around 1942. Hopper’s intense techniques draw the viewer in and mixes reality and emotion. His work will continue to evoke contemplation and his legacy will live on.
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