Blackwell's Island 1928

Edward Hopper made this painting of Blackwell's Island sometime in the early part of the 20th century, probably in oil paint. The way he handles the paint is so interesting, it’s direct and kind of blocky, not fussy at all. Look how he's built up the water with these horizontal strokes, a sea of blues and greens, moving all the way across the canvas. I love the little touches of white, suggesting sunlight on the waves. Then you see the solid, almost brutal, forms of the buildings on the island, rendered in these muted, earthy tones. It's like he's contrasting the fluid, ever-changing nature of the water with the static, imposing architecture. Hopper’s paintings always remind me a little of Charles Burchfield, who finds the same sort of weird poetry in urban spaces. Ultimately, though, art isn't about answers; it's about asking questions, exploring different ways of seeing and feeling.