Nighthawks by Edward Hopper Analysis-Cold and Warm

Nighthawks—Cold and Warm

Hannah Zhang

Art History

2014/1/6

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper is one of the best-known images of twentieth-century art. Most critics believe that the central theme of his work is the loneliness of city life. The emotions that the painting express, however, is complex. Looking at the piece from different aspects, two contrary emotions, cold and warm, can both be felt. This paper will be examine the mixed feeling Edward Hopper tried to express through the painting by analyzing the title and the background; the gestures of the figure; the light and shadow; and the delicate details in the painting.

The title “Nighthawks” Hopper picked originally stands for a large bird of prey that hunts after the sun sets. At the same time, the nighthawks are leisure creature that are always easy and casual. Through the title, the artist can be assimilating the costumers to the nighthawks wandering in the midnight. The scene was supposedly inspired by a diner in Hopper's neighborhood in Manhattan. Hopper himself said the painting "was suggested by a restaurant on Greenwich Avenue where two streets meet." Also, at the time Nighthawk was created, the World War II was taking place and a lot of American soldiers went to attend the war. It is very likely that the emotions Hopper wants to express have a connection to the war.

From the composition’s perspective, the painting depicts a small diner with three customers and a waiter. Judging by their gestures and body languages, all four figures seems to be lost in their own thoughts though they are sitting in a small diner together. The man in the dark green suit has his back turned to the audience. There is an empty wineglass right next to his hand on the table. The way his head droops and his back arches vacantly make people feel his depression. Connecting the figure’s state to the background of when the piece is painted, it is reasonable to speculate that the man is going through a hard time, possibly...