Red is an emotional intense color that represents passion, desire and love. Even in the women figure attire Edward uses color theory to speak to his audience. By doing so, he shows that no one is around the town doing daily errands such as shopping to display loneliness in the scene. The cash register is the only part that is brightly lit and it is in white to show contrast. The hidden gem of color of them all that speaks the most is the white cash register in the store across the street. By Hopper using these colors he captivates the audience closer. The diner is filled with warm colors such as the rows of empty cherry wood stools and counter tops compared to the complementary outside cool colors of greens and blues. Whereas, the curved glass window of the diner displays light colors of yellow from the walls to introduce light to the outside world. He uses dull colors of dark green on the outside street corner and dark red on the buildings to show the darkness of the outside giving the viewers a sense of isolation. Although, there are four brightly illumined figures in the room, there is a notion of silence.įurthermore, Edward’s use of color highlights the contrast of light and darkness. However, they may be seen to be together but do to the light we see closely to their posture that there is a feeling that they may not know each other bring a sense of isolation. In contrast, it gives the face features of the male and female figure in the right. The light on figure to the left only gives us details of him from the back showing loneliness. The light in the diner shines brightly on the four figures. The figures sitting in the diner are the only ones awake giving a sense isolation. Hopper purposely shines the register to show no one is there nor in the street. The time of the day is somewhere between night into mid-night given the fact that the light of the diner exposes the store next door. Due to the two light sources, it gives a sense of time. The brightness of the interior of the diner illuminating to the exterior of the outside city world. There are two sources of light illustrated. Since painted Nighthawks diner scene has been widely recognized around the world because of how Hopper positions his audience as part of the figures. The restaurant is supposed to represent New York’s Greenwich Village where Edward Hopper grew up. None of the figures seems to be not making any conversation, but have some sort of eye contact. There are just three customers spending their night and one server is working in the diner. The diner is the only place open in the city block. Nighthawks is a 1942 painting of a bright open diner called Phillies. The analysis of Edward Hopper’s artwork Nighthawks will focus on light, color, and lines to show that the works of art reflect the idea of emotion of isolation, loneliness, and silence. Works of art that reflects the idea of emotion of isolation, loneliness, and silence.įigure 1.

Edward hopper nighthawks