Edward Hopper

Background of Edward Hopper

Although not a New Englander by birth, Edward Hopper was “from away”, but not that far away. Born and raised in Nyack, New York, located north of the Jersey Palisades, Hopper grew up enjoying sailing and studying boats at the local yacht club. Due to his close proximity to the ocean, Hopper was heavily influenced by both the boats and water in his backyard. Through his love of nautical scenery, he decided to begin a career in art. At age 17, he began attending the Art Studies Program in 1899 and later moved onto the School of Illustrations in New York City. Just a year later, he switched to the New York School of Art, continuing in the study of illustration, until dropping illustration classes for painting. Upon graduating from art school, Hopper had been influenced by some of the most talented teachers including: William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri, and Kenneth Hayes Miller. In addition, he gained a significant amount of insight into the world of art from traveling abroad three times to Europe, mainly staying in the city of Paris, France. With the inspiration from traveling, the teachers at school, and his peers, Hopper would soon become the proclaimed artist he is known as today.

Legacy of Hopper

Edward Hopper is widely known as an explorer of light within capturing landscapes from the Maine Coast, Cape Ann, Vermont, Cape Cod, Mohegan Island, and other New England settings. In addition, Hopper’s paintings can often be a study of architecture.

From the summer of 1912 until his passing, Hopper traveled to the New England coastlines to be inspired based upon living the true Nantucket day. Not only did he spend the majority of the summers on the coast, but often he spent the autumn months there as well in order to experience New England’s change of seasons. Mainly working with watercolors, Hopper grew tremendously as an artist because of his productive use of time and his insight which enhanced his collections.

Although not a year-round New England resident, Hopper returned to New York City in the wintertime, which was not unusual for artists of his time period. Ideally, escaping the city was a wonderful yearly escape, allowing him to enjoy the peace and quiet atmosphere that the city did not offer.

New England allowed for Hopper to both expand his ideals based on light and shadow which dramatically added contrast within any landscape painted. Through the tranquil settings and the salt air, Hopper painted away his heart’s desire. Truthfully, the New England coastline allowed him to develop his artistic soul to the greatest degree. Although there is a variation of different locations across America, Hopper, in all honesty, was a true New England artist of his time.

Quotes from Edward Hopper:

"Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world."

"I believe that the great painters with their intellect as master have attempted to force this unwilling medium of paint and canvas into a record of their emotions."

"In its most limited sense, modern, art would seem to concern itself only with the technical innovations of the period."

"Maybe I am not very human - what I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house."

"No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination."