Description
Painted during the later years of Edward Hopper, “Office in a Small City” offers the artist’s judgment on post-World War II American business culture. Hopper brings his theme of isolation to this mid-20th-century scene that could take place in just about any U.S. city. A single man sits in his office, daydreaming in dark shadow while he looks out at the bright landscape of buildings. His profession unknown, he rests inside a concrete wall completely detached from his surroundings. Everything about this Hopper oil painting from 1953 – the mass-produced furniture, the lack of office decoration, the absence of co-workers, and the high floor level – is part of the artist’s message regarding modern urban life. He may be working to climb the corporate ladder, but in reality, he is trapped in place. Hopper finished “Office in a Small City” during the heart of the post-war boom, and with this popular work in your home, you can raise your own thoughts about the urban office landscape.
