“Monhegan Landscape,” a painting by Edward Hopper, created circa 1916 to 1919, epitomizes the essence of Impressionism. This oil on panel artwork, measuring approximately 30.5 by 41 cm, depicts a landscape scene. The genre of this piece is representative of the natural environment. The painting is part of the collection at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art located at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, United States.
The artwork presents a vivid and textural portrayal of a coastal scene. With a broad, expressive brushwork typical of Impressionism, Hopper captures the dynamic interplay of light and shadow on the natural terrain. The foreground features rocky hills with lush greenery, leading the viewer’s gaze towards a solitary tree standing out against the sky. The rugged rocks descend steeply to meet the tranquil blue sea, creating a stark contrast between the land and water elements. In the distance, small islands or rock formations emerge from the ocean, adding depth and perspective to the composition.
The rich impasto and loose brushstrokes endow the artwork with a sense of immediacy and the plein air quality characteristic of impressionist landscapes. Hopper’s use of color is notable; the blues of the sea, greens of the vegetation, and earthen tones of the rocks are all portrayed with a vibrancy that suggests the illuminating quality of natural light. Despite the absence of human figures, the artwork conveys a strong sense of place and a moment in time captured by the artist’s discerning eye.
