Edward Hopper Paintings

A lot of biographical data surfaced, while researching the artist Edward Hopper and his paintings.

Hopper was a tall man. By the age of 12, (according to his pre-eminent biographer, Gail Levin, first Curator of the Hopper Collection at the Whitney Museum and Art Historian at NY's Baruch College), Hopper grew to 6 feet tall. Apparently, it was at this point, Hopper feeling "different" from his peers starts to withdraw from those around him, grows solemn and begins to pursue solitary activities. By the age of 25, when men reach their full height, Edward tops out at 6" 6" tall. Even by todays standards, 100 years later, that is very tall. Imagine how tall he would've seemed in 1907. This "feeling" of being different, which leads one to isolation and seperateness, infuses his art.

While studying painting at a NY City art school, Hopper makes the acquaintance of another art student, Josephine Nivision.Jo Nivison was 5 foot tall, gregarious and outgoing. She was a woman in stark contrast to the tall, solemn Edward.You know where this is going. They eventually, many years later, marry. This occurs nearly 20 years after being in painting classes together. They lose touch for some years, but become reacquainted in NY's Greenwich Village, where they both live. He is by now 42, she 40 - opposites attract!

They have a fascinating relationship. Both, in physical stature and personality, Jo and Edward are antipodal. Nevertheless, they are totally devoted and interdependent on each other.
[Photo]New York Office

Jo, is the female model in nearly all, if not all, his later paintings. She is very jealous of other women being his model and does not allow it. So Jo is, the bored female usherette leaning against the wall in "New York Movie"; Jo is the blonde haired woman staring out the window in "New York Office"; and Jo is the blonde haired woman at the counter of the diner in "Nighthawks".
[Photo]New York Movie
[Photo]Nighthawks, c.1942

Their relationship, combative, co-dependent, frustrating and ultimately devotional proved spellbinding the more I read of the two of them.

Their fighting, both verbally and physically, was legendary among their friends.

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