Hopper & Cape Ann: Illuminating an American Landscape

Hopper & Cape Ann explores the lesser-known origins of Edward Hopper's artistic career in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and how his experiences there influenced his painting. The book features an unprecedented loan of 25 works from the Whitney Museum of American Art and focuses on the summer of 1923 when Hopper discovered watercolour and found inspiration in houses and vernacular architecture. It also highlights the role of Josephine Nivison, who became his trusted confidante and artistic partner.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications

Hopper & Cape Ann delves into the lesser-known, often overlooked, and profoundly significant origin story of Edward Hopper's years in and around Gloucester, Massachusetts. This period and place infused Hopper's painting with a clarity and purpose that eluded his earlier work, setting the stage for his monumental career. The book expands on a major retrospective exhibit at the Cape Ann Museum, featuring an unprecedented loan of 25 works from the Whitney Museum of American Art. The focus is on the summer of 1923, when Hopper first embraced watercolour during outdoor painting excursions on Cape Ann and discovered one of his favourite subjects, houses and vernacular architecture.

The success of Hopper's Gloucester watercolours transformed his work in all media. What is significant and revealed in this volume is the lesser-known story about how a young painter, Josephine Nivison, became the most trusted force underlying Hopper's artistic confidence and his wife. Nivison is recast as the principal producer of Hopper's distinctive style and most trusted brand visionary from their courtship until his death in 1967.

Hopper & Cape Ann offers a fresh perspective on Hopper's artistic development, shedding light on the influences and relationships that shaped his art. It provides a deeper understanding of his creative process and the profound impact that Gloucester had on his artistic journey. This book is a must-read for art enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in the evolution of American painting.

Weight: 1700g
Dimension: 262 x 293 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780847899340