Second Story Sunlight (1960) by Edward Hopper

Second Story Sunlight - Edward Hopper - 1960

Artwork Information

TitleSecond Story Sunlight
ArtistEdward Hopper
Date1960
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions127 x 101.6 cm
Art MovementNew Realism
Current LocationWhitney Museum of American Art, New York
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About Second Story Sunlight

One of Edward Hopper’s personal favorites, Second Story Sunlight is a remarkable painting that showcases the artist’s mastery of light and his lifelong pursuit to capture it. The artwork features two women on the second-story balcony of a white house – an older woman reading a newspaper and a younger woman sitting on the railing.

The painting is distinguished by its subtle spatial relationships, with the stark white planes of the building facades contrasting those cast in shadow. As one of Hopper’s signature styles, this effect creates a sense of depth and dimension that draws viewers into the scene.

Aside from its technical complexity, Second Story Sunlight also evokes a mood and story that is characteristic of Hopper’s works. The quiet domesticity portrayed in this piece highlights how people are often trapped in their own private lives while the world outside goes on without them.

Now part of the permanent collection at New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art, Second Story Sunlight remains not only as an outstanding example of Hopper’s realistic style but also as an enduring testament to his capacity to create striking compositions with powerful emotional resonance.

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