The artwork titled “Chair Car” by Edward Hopper, created in 1965, is an oil on canvas measuring 127 x 101.6 cm. It is attributed to the New Realism art movement and falls within the genre of genre painting. Currently, the artwork is part of a private collection.
In “Chair Car,” Hopper captures a scene typical of his exploration of modern American life, conveying a sense of solitude and quiet contemplation. The composition presents a view inside a passenger train car with a row of green, high-backed seats. The setting is bathed in natural light pouring in through the windows, highlighting the geometric patterns of the chairs and casting an array of sharp shadows throughout the scene. Three passengers are visible, each engaged in solitary activity, their poses and expressions reflective of the inherent isolation often found within public spaces. A central female figure is seated towards the right, her attention absorbed by a book she holds, while another figure is partially obscured in the background, and one more is positioned facing away from the viewer. The varied placement of the individuals punctuates the spaciousness of the car and enhances the ambiance of disconnectedness, a recurring thematic element in Hopper’s work. The precise delineation of structural elements and the play of light and shadow are rendered with Hopper’s characteristic clarity, serving to evoke a contemplative stillness within the everyday setting.
