Lonely arts: A distinct eye for alienation Edward Hopper (1882 1967)is something of an American success story, if only his success had come swifter. At the age of 40, he was a failing artist who struggled to sell a single painting. As he approached 80, Timemagazine featured him on its cover. Today, half a century after his death, Hopper is considered a giant of modern expression, with an uncanny, unforgettable, andutterly distinct sense for mood and place.Much of Hopper's work excavatesmodern city experience. In canvas after canvas, he depicts diners, cafes, shopfronts, street lights, gas stations, rail stations, and hotel rooms. The scenes are marked byvivid color juxtapositionsand stark, theatrical lighting, as well as byharshly contoured figures, who appear at once part of, and alien to, their surroundings. The ambiance throughout his repertoire is of aneerie disquiet, alienation, loneliness and psychological tension, although his rural or coastal scenes can offer a counterpoint of tranquility or optimism.This book presents key works from Hopper's uvre to introduce a key player not only in American art history but also in the American psyche. About the Series: Each book in TASCHEN s Basic Art series features: a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance a concise biography approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions "