Nighthawks - Edward Hopper - 1942

This is a popular painting by American painter Edward Hopper painted in 1942, it depicts people in a diner late at night, people who stay up late are commonly referred to as "Nighthawks", hence the title of the painting. All the characters within the diner look lonely and wondering about their respective lives. Looking closer at the painting the couple appear to have beaks for noses, probably a nod to the painting's title. I like this painting as it's simple and makes me think, it makes me feel a little lonely and wanting to know more about what each of the people represent. Hopper painted this after the attack on Pearl Harbour, so they each probably have some thoughts or feelings towards this attack. The use of straight lines in the painting makes it feel as though the characters are trapped in the diner and are forever confined there because there is no visible door for a way out. This painting is just one example of the early 1940's in America, a different side to the jazz singing, Charleston dancing sort of America popularly depicted in culture.