Shop art print and framed art Summer in the City by Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper and his iconic work Summer in the City

In the art world, urban painting has always been a subject of fascination for artists. One of the painters who captured the very essence of this environment was undoubtedly Edward Hopper. His work Summer in the City, painted in 1949, is often seen as a pure illustration of this theme.

The historical and artistic context of the work

To better understand the significance of the painting Summer in the City, it is worth looking at the historical and artistic context in which it was produced. The 1940s in fact marked a period of profound upheaval in the United States, economically as well as socially and culturally. The Second World War had just ended, giving way to a new era of prosperity and unbridled urbanisation.

The birth of American New Realism

It was in this context that a new artistic movement called the New Realism emerged. This movement was characterised by a faithful and detailed representation of everyday reality, without seeking to idealise or embellish the scenes depicted. New Realism artists focused on the most banal and ordinary aspects of urban life, whether it be streets crowded with passers-by, majestic skyscrapers or scenes of solitude in cafés and flats.

Edward Hopper is one of the leading exponents of New Realism. His paintings are distinguished by their apparent simplicity and an atmosphere that is both familiar and enigmatic. Summer in the City is no exception, and is a perfect example of this distinctive style.

Analysis of Summer in the City: the triumph of the everyday

In Summer in the City, Edward Hopper plunges us into the heart of a typically urban scene. The painting depicts a young woman sitting on a bed in a night flat, dressed in a light dress and looking out of the window while her companion lies behind on her stomach, seemingly seeking sleep. The room is bathed in soft, natural light that contrasts with the shadows cast by the windows.

The "Window Paintings"

This painting is part of the series of "Window Paintings" produced by Hopper throughout his career. These works feature solitary, silent figures, often depicted in front of a window that allows a glimpse of the surrounding urban landscape. This window symbolises both the separation between interior and exterior space, but also the possibility of escaping - if only by thought - from this stifling everyday life.

The date of completion: a late work

Summer in the City was made in 1949, a relatively late period in Edward Hopper's career. Despite this, the painting undeniably bears the mark of his distinctive style and testifies to his technical and artistic mastery. The composition is balanced and harmonious, the colours are soft and nuanced, and the attention to detail reinforces the impression of realism that emanates from the whole.

The influence and posterity of Summer in the City

Although it is not as well known as some of Edward Hopper's other works, such as Nighthawks or House by the Railroad, Summer in the City is nonetheless an iconic painting in his oeuvre. It perfectly illustrates one of the artist's main concerns: representing urban life in all its complexity, with its moments of solitude and introspection, but also its moments of fleeting beauty.

A painting as a source of inspiration for contemporary artists

Many painters, photographers and filmmakers have drawn inspiration from Summer in the City to create their own works. The painting has thus given rise to multiple interpretations, revisiting the themes addressed by Hopper in the light of the concerns and issues of our time. This is evidenced in particular by the influence of this work on American cinema, where certain iconic scenes seem directly inspired by Hopper's paintings.

A work that questions our relationship with the city

Beyond its aesthetic aspect, Summer in the City also invites a deeper reflection on our relationship with urban life. In particular, the painting raises essential questions about the isolation and anonymity that big cities can engender, but also about the never-ending quest for meaning and beauty in an environment that is often impersonal and dehumanised.

This artwork is a painting from the contemporary period. It belongs to the naturalism styles and realism styles.

« Summer in the City » is kept at Private collection.