Follower of Edward Hopper (American,1882-1967): Oil on canvas, signed Edward Hopper bottom right, framed.

From December 1939 to January 1940, Edward Hopper suffered from a lack of inspiration and, instead of fruitlessly painting, instead focused his attention toward other scholarly pursuits. After viewing and ultimately dismissing Botticelli's Birth of Venus as, “... another pretty girl pictureâ€, at the MoMa, Hopper sought inspiration through exploration the city on the ell train . The outcome was “Office at Nightâ€, now held at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, an intriguing composition of a man working through the night with his secretary. After several preliminary charcoal sketches, he painted this work, basing the secretary on his wife and model, Jo. Jo, who acted as Hopper’s assistant, devoted an entire page to documenting this work, describing it as such:

“White walls, electric light from ceiling, from desk lamp (green cover) & from light outside window. Green floor (dark green), mahogany furniture, blue blotter on desk, green metal filing cabinet. Brown wood partitions with pebbled glass panes. [illegible] window shade. Outside window edge of masonry putty color. Man in grey coat, blond hair. "Shirley" in red dress, white collar, flesh stockings black pumps & black hair & plenty of lipstick. Figures stand out in space, not fastened to background.â€

One peculiar deviation between the version hanging in the Walker Art Center and this piece is the intentional omission of the secretary. Her absence transforms the overall feeling of the composition, bringing it from an illicit affair to a night working away from the family. The Night Office was intended as a voyeuristic view into an office building after-hours from the Ell, a narrative that is highlighted by the tension between the two figures. Her removal, however, does not negate the voyeuristic tendencies of the work; it only transforms the narrative. Technically, it is nearly identical to the version found at the Walker, with controlled brushstrokes and an unusual emphasis on light and perspective. Perhaps this was a study for the work that has garnered worldwide acclaim by one of America’s most recognizable artists?
Dimensions: 21.5 x 27.5" canvas, 28 x 34.25" frame.

Very good condition.
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