Edward HOPPER (1882-1967), Nighthawks (Night Brands), 1942

Lithograph, Arches France velin paper.
Dimensions: 26 cm x 42 cm in light passe-partout, 36 x 53 cm in framed passe-partout, limited edition, numbered by hand in pencil 147/150, Signature from plate under composition 'Edward Hopper' p.d., publisher George Israel Editeur. Original certificate.
Edward Hopper is one of the most prominent American painters of the 20th century, known for his melancholic, realistic depictions of everyday life that reveal the hidden emotions and loneliness of life in modern America. Although he studied European art - especially Impressionism - his style developed toward American realism, focusing on solitary urban scenes, landscapes, and alienated figures immersed in their own thoughts.
Hopper created his own recognizable style, in which simplicity of form is combined with a deep emotional message. His paintings are characterized by clear composition and an economical color palette, with frequent use of natural light to create contrasts and build mood. Many of his paintings depict the interiors of cafes, motels, apartments and city streets - places seemingly full of life, but often empty and cold, thus evoking feelings of loneliness.
Also typical of Hopper is his use of the "suspended moment" effect - a scene appears to have been captured a moment before or after an event, allowing the viewer to enter the characters' lives and imagine their stories.
Nighthawks depicts a night scene in a small town café, accessible through a glass window from the perspective of an observer on the street. Four characters sit in the café: a bartender and three customers - a couple and a single man. The scene is illuminated by artificial, cool lamplight, which creates a stark contrast with the dark background of the city. The characters are close to each other, but are separated from each other, almost living in their own separate worlds. This sense of alienation is reinforced by the lack of doors visible in the frame, giving the impression that they are "trapped" in this enclosed space of the cafe.

Edward Hopper has inspired not only painters, but also film directors, photographers and writers. His ability to create intensely evocative, even cinematic images influenced artists such as Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch. Films such as Hitchcock's "Window to the Yard" contain elements inspired by Hopper's work, such as lonely windows and the anonymity of urban settings.
Edward Hopper's works have been exhibited all over the world, most importantly in prestigious museums and galleries, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, which holds the importance of his works, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ) at the Art Institute of Chicago. His paintings are recognized as masterpieces of realism, with collectors and institutions competing for the opportunity to purchase them or lend them to exhibitions.