Edward Hopper: 1882-1967, Vision of Reality (Big Art S.)

Edward Hopper (1882–1967) is considered the first significant American painter in 20th-century art. Living in a secluded country house with his wife, Josephine, he depicted the loneliness of big-city people in canvas after canvas. Probably the most famous of them, Nighthawks, done in1942, shows a couple seated quietly, as if turned inwards upon themselves, in the harsh artificial light of an all-night restaurant. Many of Hopper’s pictures represent views of streets and roads, rooftops, abandoned houses, depicted inbrilliant light that strangely belies the melancholy mood of the scenes. Hopper’s paintings are marked by striking juxta-positions of color, and by the clear contours with which the figures are demarcated from their surroundings. His extremely precise focus on the theme of modern men and women in the natural and man-made environment some-times lends his pictures a mood of eerie disquiet. In House by the Railroad, a harsh interplay of light and shadow makes the abandoned building seem veritably threatening. On the other hand, Hopper’s renderings of rocky landscapes in warm brown hues, or his depictions of the seacoast, exude an unusual tranquillity that reveals another, more optimisticside of his character.

Not only are there rarer paintings and etchings in here not often included in coffee table books on Hopper, but author Kranzfelder shows his influence on photography, and shows the influence of other artists (notably Degas) on Hopper. Kranzfelder puts paintings and photos on one page, and the particular example of Hopper's work on the other so you can see the comparison side by side.

The text is also interesting and full of rare facts and a good analysis as well. If you want a great book about Hopper's work, this is one of the best I have seen. HIGHLY recommended.


IT'S A HOPPER!   December 6, 2002
ALAIN ROBERT (ST-HUBERT,QUEBEC)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I have read the FRENCH translation of this book,and i enjoyed it,even if the approach often is on the intellectual side.No AMERICAN art in the first half of the previous century gets near that man, who visualized his country with a personnal perception.The paintings of HOPPER often gets to you in their quest of lonelyness.PEOPLE IN THE SUN for instance is fascinating.The most interesting aspect about HOPPER,is that his paintings are about the persistance of vision;the way one can try to read his mind.


Excellent summary of Edward Hopper's life and art   August 21, 1999
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Affordably priced and well written.

Must read for any admirer of Edward Hopper's work.


Beautiful book!   March 12, 2010
BeachReader (Delaware)
Loved this book. Great reproductions and just enough writing about the pictures and about Hopper. I saw the Hopper exhibition last year at the National Gallery and it was wonderful. His art is just breathtaking and I enjoyed revisiting it in this book.


Must Read Introduction to Edward Hopper!   January 8, 2007
Drew T (Kansas)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

While I was superficially attracted to this book because of its stunning reproductions and affordable price, Kranzfelder deserves much more credit. This book is wonderful for amateur Hopper enthusiasts and presents in-depth analysis balanced with connections to contemporary painters and changes in society. Mostly chronological, this book is divided into the various themes such as voyeurism, windows, sexuality, and urban isolation. Another excellent addition to any personal library from Taschen, the best art resource publisher.