The artwork titled “Girlie Show” was painted by Edward Hopper in 1941. It is an oil on canvas painting measuring 81.3 by 96.5 cm and currently resides within a private collection. This work is indicative of the New Realism art movement and may be categorized under the genres of nude painting (nu) and genre painting.
“Girlie Show” presents a singular female figure, presumably a performer, positioned front and center on a dimly lit stage. The atmospheric setting reflects Hopper’s characteristic play with light and shadow, creating a dramatic visual effect. The subject is portrayed in motion, holding a vibrant blue cloth that floats around her nude form. Her poise suggests a performative confidence while maintaining a sense of isolation, a common theme in Hopper’s work. The background features dark, heavy curtains and ornate, gilded architectural details that frame the performer, contrasting with her luminous skin and the bright cloth. The foreground shows a musician, his back facing the audience, adding to the narrative of an ongoing performance. Audience members are rendered as obscured figures, their attention seemingly directed toward the stage, which emphasizes the distancing effect between the viewer and the spectacle. Hopper’s skillful manipulation of color, form, and composition encapsulates a moment that feels both intimate and detached, capturing the complexities of human experience within a seemingly ordinary scene of entertainment.
