The artwork “Cape Cod Morning” is an oil on canvas painting by Edward Hopper, created in 1950 and invoking the themes of New Realism. Measuring 101.98 by 87 cm, this piece blends both landscape and figurative genres and is part of Hopper’s ‘Window’ paintings series. It is housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, United States.
“Cape Cod Morning” features a serene yet somewhat uneasy composition. The central focus is a woman gazing out of a large window, her posture and expression suggesting anticipation or deep contemplation. She is bathed in the morning light that streams through the pane, hinting at the early hours of the day. The woman’s presence provides a distinct narrative element, characteristic of Hopper’s figurative inclinations within his landscape contexts.
The exterior landscape viewed through the window contrasts with the interior domestic space. The outside world is depicted with a subdued palette of greens, yellows, and browns, representative of a typical Cape Cod scene — the clear sky, the growth of trees, and the untouched field denote a tranquil yet isolated natural setting. Hopper’s masterful use of light and shadow emphasizes the difference between the indoor and outdoor environments and adds to the painting’s contemplative mood.
The attention to architectural detail — the sharp lines of the house’s siding, the contrasting shutters, and the molding around the window — reflects Hopper’s precise and realistic style, grounding the painting in a tangible sense of place. Yet, the overall emptiness surrounding the dwelling, paired with the woman’s introspective state, imbues the artwork with an air of solitude and introspection, themes often explored by Hopper in his works.
