Lockdown - Day 9

When the lockdown became a reality around the globe, American writer Michael Tisserand tweeted that we are all Edward Hopper paintings now. That comment went viral in a matter of hours, probably because it was sublimely succinct and surprisingly accurate. It even reached Spain by means of a glorious piece of journalism written and narrated by Carlos del Amor.

Tisserand's observation resonated with millions of people who, understandably, found a new way to relate to the atmosphere that pervades Hopper's paintings: loneliness, listlessness, melancholy, alienation. Hopper's characters tend to be loners that are silently having a drink or staring into the distance. Is that us now?

I'm telling you all this because, just weeks ago, we discussed Nighthawks, Hopper's masterpiece. If memory serves, I believe I told you that this particular work or art is arguably the most famous painting in U.S. history. That was no overstatement. It is indeed the most frequently referenced painting in popular culture. The number of versions, tributes, etc, it's been subject to is truly mind-boggling. That's the reason why, just last Monday, some Twitter users decided to post funny versions of the lonely diner.

Today I've decided to share with you an interesting analysis of that painting. Nerdwriter happens to be one of my favorite youtubers (the man can write!). In this specific video he analysizes Nighthawks in some depth. Even if you are not into art, bear in mind that the vocabulary he uses justifies the visit. If you watch it you won't regret it.

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The course keys are the following:

C1.1: E-2BGSG5NJ2Z67Z

C1.2: E-3AQSJHPQVSEE9