10 factlets about
Nighthawks
by Edward Hopper
10 factlets about Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
Nighthawks , 1942 from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago
Nighthawks , 1942 from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago
Did you know?
Fine as a Homer. Before Edward Hopper finished the painting, Daniel Catton Rich, the director of the Art Institute of Chicago, called the painting “fine as a Homer” in reference to the American landscape painter.
Fine as a Homer. Before Edward Hopper finished the painting, Daniel Catton Rich, the director of the Art Institute of Chicago, called the painting “fine as a Homer” in reference to the American landscape painter.
$3,000. Rich would later purchase the painting for the Art Institute for the sum of $3,000 (roughly $50,000 in today’s dollars) . Not a bad price for one of the museum’s most famous paintings.
$3,000. Rich would later purchase the painting for the Art Institute for the sum of $3,000 (roughly $50,000 in today’s dollars) . Not a bad price for one of the museum’s most famous paintings.
It’s large. It measures roughly 2.75 by 5 feet (0.8 X 1.5 m).
It’s large. It measures roughly 2.75 by 5 feet (0.8 X 1.5 m).
A literal title . Edward Hopper’s wife, Josephine, wrote a description of one of the customers in the painting : “Man night hawk (beak) in dark suit, steel grey hat, black band, blue shirt (clean) holding a cigarette” . This description may have inspired the title.
A literal title . Edward Hopper’s wife, Josephine, wrote a description of one of the customers in the painting : “Man night hawk (beak) in dark suit, steel grey hat, black band, blue shirt (clean) holding a cigarette”. This description may have inspired the title.
Two words. The original title was Night Hawks as noted in Josephine’s journal.
Two words. The original title was Night Hawks as noted in Josephine’s journal.
Nighthawks (detail)
Self-portrait. Josephine wrote a letter to her sister stating that Edward posed for the two men and she for the girl .
Self-portrait. Josephine wrote a letter to her sister stating that Edward posed for the two men and she for the girl .
Café Terrace at Night , Vincent van Gogh, 1888
Inspired by Van Gogh ? Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh was exhibited in a gallery in New York in January of 1942. Although it hasn’t been proven, it is likely that Hopper would have seen the work as it was exhibited alongside his own .
Inspired by Van Gogh ? Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh was exhibited in a gallery in New York in January of 1942. Although it hasn’t been proven, it is likely that Hopper would have seen the work as it was exhibited alongside his own .
Or inspired by Hemingway ? It has been suggested that Hopper was inspired by a short story by Ernest Hemingway, either "The Killers" , which Hopper greatly admired, or the more philosophical "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" .
Or inspired by Hemingway ? It has been suggested that Hopper was inspired by a short story by Ernest Hemingway, either "The Killers" , which Hopper greatly admired, or the more philosophical "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" .
Painting loneliness. Hopper said of this painting: “Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city ” .
Painting loneliness. Hopper said of this painting: “Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city ” .
Where is the café? Hopper only gave a vague suggestion of where the restaurant might have been stating it “was suggested by a restaurant on New York’s Greenwich Avenue where two streets meet” . Additionally, he noted th at "I simplified the scene a great deal and made the restaurant bigger". I t is likely an amalgamation of many places.
Where is the café? Hopper only gave a vague suggestion of where the restaurant might have been stating it “was suggested b y a restaurant on New York’s Greenwich Avenue where two streets meet” . Additionally, he noted that "I simplified the scene a great deal and made the restaurant bigger". It is likely an amalgamation of many places.
From Our Collection
Feeling lonely in a large city or simply a night owl at heart? Browse our selection of Hopper’s Nighthawks collectibles and gifts, showcasing Americana at its finest.