By Do Gwang-hwan
SEOUL April 12 (Yonhap) -- Various paintings of American artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967) who was born in New York, pinpoints the subject matter of 'solitude.'
Despite of unique and interesting paintings by Edward Hopper, such as exterior of building structures with interesting nature and environmental features, or interior of a place where people live, viewers are granted with the feelings to escape the place portrayed within the paintings.
The picture presented below is Edward Hopper’s “House by the Railway” which was painted in 1925, provides uncanny feelings to those who view the work through artist’s unique way of portraying the Isolation and bleakness which overtakes the feeling of solitude.
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| ▲ This photo shows Edward Hopper's 'House By the Railway,' which is located in MOMA (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Although the house portrayed within the painting is seen as an abandoned structure, viewers are provided with a window of opportunity to imagine; whoever is dwelling within the structure is too shy to peek out the window.
Moreover, the house depicted within the artwork is located next to the railway. Therefore it sends out the vibe that the house might be slowly angling down every time train passes over the railway.
Placement of the railway within the painting shows the warning provided by the owner of the house to prevent trespassers from crossing.
Interesting fact regarding the painting is that the well known film director Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) has been inspired by it. Throughout “Psycho,” one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous movies, you can see the similar image as the painting “House By The Railway.”
“House By The Railway” which has been painted during the early years of Edward Hopper, in 1925 can be interpreted as a prophecy of the great depression which took place in 1929.
The heyday of artist Edward Hopper continued on from 1940s to early 1960s. He painteed historically renown “Nighthawks,” in 1947 and “Morning Sun,” in 1952.
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| ▲This photo shows painting 'NightHawks' located within The Art Institute of Chicago. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo shows Edward Hopper's painting 'Morning Sun' currently exhibited within Columbus Museum of Art. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
After World War II, when America enjoyed its greatest prosperity and 'Abstract Expresiionism' showcased throughout works of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko dominated the art scene, Edward Hopper stubbornly pursued the theme of 'solitude.' Given the idea that Edward Hopper’s works in 1920s foreshadowed the great depression, the paintings done afterward can be omen to 'poverty in the Midst of plenty.'
A familiar phrase, “The Lonely Crowd” first mentioned within David Riesman (1909-2002) writing. “The Lonely Crowd” can be found within various works done by Edward Hopper, furthermore his paintings emphasizes such feelings by showcasing void and emptiness.
Themes of Edward Hopper’s painting still withhold uncountable merit amongst other unique topics raised within art industry in 21 century. A short novel “In Sunlight or In Shadow” published in 2017 depicts short stories written by 17 of renowned American writers including Stephen King inspired by 17 of unique paintings by Edward Hopper.
The solitude showcased within Edward Hopper various painting shines brighter as the time passes. It almost feels like he knew the future that humanity was about to embark.
Solitude is distinctively different from loneliness; solitude can be served as soil and fertilizers to strengthen one self. According to the French Philosopher Louis Lavelle (1883-1951) quoted in writer Kim Yeon-su’s short novel “Again, to Barbara in 2100” the author addresses “Isolation comes from attachement to onself, and it leads to tragedy because it despises others. Solitude is breaking away from oneself. Through this depature, each being can return to a common origin."
“Participation” is not the only right answer to relationship and the existence. Therefore it is not right for viewers to assume Hopper’s way of portraying the solitude of human nature in a negative manner. The characters which appear within his painting might just simply be on a journey to find oneself. This might be the reason why his paintings are loved by wide number of art enthusiasts.
Edward Hopper’s paintings will be exhibited at the Seoul Museum of Art, under the title of “Edward Hopper: From City to Coast.” The upcoming exhibition is a collaborative project between Whitney Museum in New York and will kick off on April 20 of 2023.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo.)
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