The artwork titled “Jo Sketching at Good Harbour Beach,” created in 1923 by Edward Hopper, is an exemplar of the New Realism and American Realism art movements. Executed in watercolor, this piece falls within the figurative genre, providing a candid representation of a subject in a natural setting.
In the artwork, the central focus is a figure reclining on a sandy beach while engaging in the act of sketching. The subject is oriented toward the right, their attention seemingly absorbed by their work, oblivious of the viewer’s gaze. The figure is clad in era-appropriate attire, including a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeve shirt, offering a sense of casual ease fitting of a leisurely day spent outdoors.
The composition is balanced by a serene seascape that extends across the middle ground, where gentle waves meet the shore. In the distance, atop a verdant rise, stand structural elements suggestive of residential buildings. These human-made forms contrast with the organic lines of the natural landscape, yet harmoniously blend into the scene, united by the artist’s coherent application of color and light.
Hopper’s treatment of the atmosphere is light and airy, and he skillfully captures the luminosity of the beach setting, characterizing his adept use of watercolors. The brushwork varies from fluid washes that evoke the water’s movement to more controlled strokes defining the figure and landscape. Through subtle shifts in hue and tone, Hopper conveys the expansive quality of the beach and sky, contributing to the overall impression of openness and tranquility.
