Chop Suey 1929

Edward Hopper made "Chop Suey" with oil on canvas; a seemingly simple scene, but look closely at the mark-making. Hopper lays down color with a decisive hand; it's neither thick nor thin, but just right, each stroke considered. The painting feels real, not labored. Notice the woman in green, how her gaze meets ours. Her presence is strong, solid. Then, the bright neon sign visible through the window, juxtaposed against the muted interior colors. Hopper uses light and shadow to create depth and mystery. His colors aren’t mixed to death, but are vibrant and alive. It’s really more about the underlying structure of the painting. Hopper’s urban scenes remind me a bit of Fairfield Porter’s domestic interiors, but Hopper is a bit more raw. Like Porter, he captures the beauty in the mundane. But there's something unresolved in Hopper’s work. It’s less about answers, more about questions, and that's what keeps us coming back for more.