New York Movie (1939) by Edward Hopper

New York Movie - Edward Hopper - 1939

Artwork Information

TitleNew York Movie
ArtistEdward Hopper
Date1939
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions81.9 x 101.9 cm
Art MovementSocial Realism
Current LocationMuseum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, NY, US
Location Created United States

About New York Movie

The artwork “New York Movie” by Edward Hopper is an oil on canvas painting completed in 1939, exemplifying the Social Realism art movement. It measures 81.9 by 101.9 centimeters and is considered a genre painting. Currently, the painting is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US, and it was created in the United States.

“New York Movie” depicts an interior scene within a movie theater where the focus is on a solitary usherette standing at the side. The theater itself is sparsely populated, with viewers turned away and immersed in the screened film, evident from the projection light that can be seen in the background. The usherette is portrayed in a moment of introspection or distraction, detached from the entertainment that occupies the audience. The artwork conveys a sense of stillness and isolation, with Hopper’s signature play on light and shadow enhancing the mood of the scene. The contrast between the lit areas and the dark, recessed spaces in the theater amplifies the emotional impact of the piece, encapsulating the essence of the singular experience amid a public setting. Hopper’s fine detailing and careful construction of the artwork render a snapshot of urban life, infused with a narrative that invites contemplation about the private moments in public spaces.

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