Silent Theater: The Art of Edward Hopper (F A GENERAL)
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Silent Theater: The Art of Edward Hopper (F A GENERAL) Details
From Publishers Weekly In what he refers to as a discursive and meditative book, humanities and American studies scholar Wells explores why Edward Hopper, whom he calls a dour creator of suspended dreams, created iconic images that are among the most popular of 20th-century American art. In chapters with such titles as Vortices of Despair, Cold Embers and Isles of Refuge, he offers close readings of thematically linked paintings, proposing interpretations that are imaginative yet well reasoned. Hopper's spare realism often approached the surreal, and he returned to certain themes throughout his career: empty urban streets at dawn; women, either clothed or nude, facing a window that bathes them in harsh light; farmhouses on the edge of woodlands that seem ready to engulf them. Wells relies heavily on the literary sources that Hopper immersed himself in, and he quotes liberally from the large body of Hopper studies. The artist's popularity remains something of a mystery. Wells suggests that Hopper's pessimism touches deep veins of shared experience in the American psyche, but he comes closest to identifying the Hopper hold on the American imagination when he describes the paintings' ongoing interplay between a highly intellectualized ego and a volatile id. Color and b&w illus. (Sept.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
Reviews
I found it really hard to put this book down.Hopper's finest works reproduced on large pages matched with Mr.Wells' beautifully written analysis make this a MUST HAVE for any fan of American Art or Art in general.Yes,the conclusions and analysis here are that of one man.However,never does Mr.Wells' opinions come across as arrogant nor does he attempt to have the "final say" on Hopper's work.He helps his case and credibility by citing countless preceding works/letters/critiques/etc.Wells assists us in seeing Hopper's work in new ways and in noticing subtle details we never saw the first time.Archetypes,Sexuality,Dreams,and Freud are just some of the topics discussed here.Wells does a superb job ofrelating these ideas to Hopper's work without taking embarrassing leaps or going on bizarre tangents.It's precise,honest and borderline revelatory.Hopper is one of the finest artists in American history and this book is simply a tool to help us appreciate his work so much more.
