The Unforgettable Scene in Edward Hopper’s ‘Automat’
Why this painting still resonates today
A solitary woman sits in a cafe staring at her cup of coffee. Her hat and coat tell us that the night outside is cold. The detail of her gloves — one removed, the other still on her hand — seems to suggest that this is an impromptu visit and that she is uncertain how long she will stay.
Edward Hopper was an artist who excelled at such narrative clues. His perceptive paintings allow us to glimpse into the crevices of other people’s lives, in which loneliness and contemplation seem to reign. His images are appealing perhaps because they permit us to observe a reflection of ourselves, giving in turn a sense of reassurance.
This particular painting, titled Automat, was made in 1927 when he was around forty-five and was one of his earlier successes. Four years before, the Brooklyn Museum had purchased one of his watercolour works, The Mansard Roof, for its permanent collection. A year later, Hopper held his first solo exhibition and sold all of the watercolour paintings on display. Spurred by this success, he gave up his illustration job and devoted himself to painting full-time.
Automat is a work that relies on spaces and silence. What is missing from the painting is just as important as what it contains.
