The artwork, titled “Davis House,” was created by artist Edward Hopper in 1926. As an exemplar of the New Realism movement, this cityscape genre painting captures the essence of this artistic approach through its depiction of architectural forms. The artwork is currently held in a private collection, reflecting its status as a piece of cultural significance that is not on public display.
“Davis House” by Edward Hopper presents a serene and almost desolate view of two residential structures, likely set in an American suburb. The painting is characterized by the use of light and shadow, highlighting the architectural details and imbuing the scene with a particular time of day, presumably late afternoon given the cast shadows. The striking contrast between the sunlit facades and the deep shadows suggests a play of warmth and coolness, a common theme in Hopper’s works.
Hopper’s meticulous attention to the composition and form is evident in the painting’s clear lines and the precise rendering of the houses’ structures. There is an absence of human activity, which accentuates the quiet and isolation that often pervade Hopper’s cityscapes. The houses, one mustard yellow and the other a muted brown, are depicted with a level of realism that captures the textures of the buildings’ materials. The surrounding foliage is painted with a softer, more impressionistic technique, enabling it to recede into the background and frame the central subjects.
Overall, the “Davis House” provides a snapshot of early 20th-century American residential architecture and reflects the psychological depth and introspection for which Edward Hopper’s work is renowned.
