Edward Hopper’s “The Bootleggers,” created in 1925, is an oil on canvas genre painting that encapsulates the essence of New Realism. This artwork is part of the collection at the Currier Museum of Art, located in Manchester, NH, United States. Hopper’s emphasis on stark lighting and his exploration of solitude in American life are evident in this piece.
The artwork features a stark, coastal scene at dusk, where the main focus is a Victorian house standing prominently in the background. Its white facade contrasts with the darkening sky, creating a sense of isolation. Two figures can be observed in the foreground, occupying a small, moored boat that hints at secrecy or illicit activity, consistent with the title “The Bootleggers.” A sense of quiet tension pervades the scene, characteristic of Hopper’s style, which often portrayed the loneliness and mystery of everyday settings and situations. The cool color palette and the spare use of bright light emanating from the house imbue the painting with a somber, contemplative mood.
