Edward Hopper: An American Master

American Artists

by Ita Berkow

Drawing inspiration from the mundane, Edward Hopper used his unique style to create hauntingly evocative scenes of everyday life, portraying the starkness of Main Street and exploring the visual vocabulary of light. Whether he set his scenes in offices, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, train compartments, or theaters, his favorite theme--the isolation of the individual--is always prominent. Many of Hopper's most brilliant works--from urban scenes to rural landscapes and from etchings to oil paintings--are represented here in a stunning portfolio of 70 full-color illustrations.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In a career that spanned the greater part of the twentieth century, Edward Hopper created in paint some of the greatest dramas of life in modern America ever to be recorded. His universal theme of the alienation of the individual within society is as relevant to today's viewers as it was to Hopper's contemporaries. However, [he] never set out to depict universal themes - he simply painted his impressions of what he saw." -- the author, on page 79

I don't know if artist Edward Hopper has quite the name recognition that he once did some years ago, but the compilation / biography A Modern Master is an excellent reminder of his life's work as he rendered it in either watercolors or oils. (If his name is unfamiliar, a pop cultural short-cut of sorts is likely his seminal work 'Nighthawks' from 1942, depicting four disparate souls gathered around the counter of an all-night metropolitan diner. Additionally, his 'House by the Railroad' from 1925 was influential in the cinematic appearance of the notorious Bates' domicile in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho many years later.) Hopper excelled at depicting the loneliness or increasing isolation in 20th century life, and his 'go-to' locales often included the sun-dappled streets of New York City, the small towns of Pennsylvania, the beach or rural areas of the Cape Cod region of New England, and the off-beat and backroads paths of the eastern United States. This was a wonderful overview of his work.

[Hogfather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book with good beginner's commentary. My only complaint is that there are several paintings described which are never shown.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Edward Hopper. What light! What solitude! His work is so beautiful, both still and full of life. He's absolutely one of my favorite painters (though admittedly my list of favorite painters is really long).
This is a really nice overview of his life and works. It would be an excellent introduction to someone looking to learn about him, though as the book says, you've already seen some of his works, even if you don't know it!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

After visiting Newfields to see the Edward Hopper exhibit I wanted to know a little bit more about him..and this was a good choice.. not too long and a good explanation of his works

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of Hopper's work from his earliest to his last. Along with critique and essays, the books shows his use of shadow and light to create and emotional background as well as tone to his figures. I would suggest it as a must-read for those who enjoy Hopper's work as well as the style he worked in.