Nighthawks #1

Its late at night, the streets are quiet and empty. On the corner sits a small diner with large glass windows with a wooden frame colored rusty green. Outside the dinner sits the sign " Phillies" in a creamy color. Through the window you can see the bar and the waiter behind it. On the brown stools sit three people all dressed in 1950's clothing. A lone man with his back turned to the window and on the otherside a couple. In the center stands the waiter in all white leaning over to get something. the lights above them leak out into the street illuminating the corner but nothing more. The closed shops around the dinner make the background seem dark and quiet.

Through light the artist has created a feeling of "halcyon days" or the old peaceful times. Making the diner the only store open makes everything seem quiet, like late at night. Holding the only light in the painting they eye is drawn towards the diner and the people. The peoples faces are neutral, not happy or sad. The building seems old yet loved as if its old yet has been taken care of well which also adds to the mood of peace.

Edward Hopper uses the balance of light and dark to even out the painting. Though there is only one form of light in the picture he makes it strong so that it carries out into the darkness. The darkness, though there is more of it in the picture is not painted in a strong black but really a shadowy black that has bits of light in it. Through having less, stronger, light and more, lighter, dark he balances the painting.