12/28: Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper is an icon of American art, and his work is right here in Wichita. The Wichita Art Museum holds four Hopper paintings in their permanent collection – each showcasing the artist at his finest. Chief Curator Stephen Gleissner considers Hopper “a quintessentially American painter because of the seemingly direct, unembellished quality of his subjects and style. “

The painting Conference at Night¸ held by the Wichita Art Museum, depicts a scene that feels like something out of a film noir. In this painting, the viewer is placed inside a building where a brilliant shaft of light enters though the window, splashing itself against the back wall. The light, presumably from a street lamp, focuses our attention to the three people in the middle of the room. This space seems to be an office, yet the function of the room is not divulged outright and neither is the purpose of this meeting.

A severe woman in a plunging V-neck black dress is accompanied by an almost faceless man who turns his back to the viewer. These two menacing creatures face a man who sits on top of a desk. This man casually leans back, legs crossed at the ankles, and sleeves rolled above his elbows. His hand gestures conversationally with an open, upheld palm. His demeanor can suggest a feeling of intimidation by this pair. Or, perhaps, he is unfazed by their presence because he’s the one in charge. In a classic Hopper fashion, the nature of this conference cannot be fully determined.

This enigmatic scene showcases Hoppers’ ability to relentlessly convey introspection, loneliness and alienation within a modernizing America. Through a stunning control of light, brushy paint quality, and austere composition, Hopper maintains an irreplaceable presence in the history of American art.