Nighthawks is probably Edward Hopper’s most iconic work. It’s certainly his most recognizable, even if most people don’t know who painted it or even what it’s called. They just know it. They usually don’t know how or why or where they know it from, but when they see it, they know it.
Hopper was best known for his portrayal of the isolated individual, usually in a setting that was dark and foreboding. Many of his works have a ‘film noir’ quality about them in which the individual is alone and the world around them, often an urban world, is in some way dark and dangerous.
Hopper’s work often has a lonely and negative effect. Nighthawks is no exception. It is often described as three individuals (whom Hopper considered the titular Nighthawks) sitting in a cafe or diner. The light exposes them and they are trapped. One sits alone, the man behind the counter alone in his work, and the couple are seemingly alone with each other, not interacting.
Depressing right?
Look again. The couple sit with hands close together on the counter. The man behind the counter is facing the man of the couple, mouth slightly open. Although the woman of the couple seems distracted by the thing she is holding her lips seem slightly upturned, not frowning. The man of the couple has a slight upturn on the corner of his mouth. He could very well be conversing contently with the man behind the counter. So what about the man alone? Look closely at his right arm and hand. The corner of a book? Is he reading? Perhaps. Even in 1942, a man might like to enjoy a good read with his coffee or meal. And are they trapped and exposed in the light of the diner? Or is it a warm escape from the cold darkness outside?
Though the world around them is dark they are in the light. They are strangers who can take comfort from the overwhelming world outside simply by the presence of one another.
Because sometimes that’s all the darkness of the world has to offer; a little corner of light.
