Burlesque Theatre, Times Square c. early 1940s

This charcoal drawing, "Burlesque Theatre, Times Square," by American realist painter Edward Hopper, captures a moment of solitude in the bustling city. The drawing, completed in the early 1940s, depicts a shadowy view into a theatre from a narrow alleyway. Hopper’s signature style, using stark contrasts and deep shadows, creates a sense of loneliness and isolation, contrasting the raucous energy of Times Square with the quiet space of the artwork. The simplified forms and gestural lines highlight Hopper’s interest in capturing the essence of urban life, a recurring theme in his later career.