Burlesque Theatre, Times Square c. early 1940s

Edward Hopper made this drawing of Burlesque Theatre, Times Square with graphite on paper, but when exactly we can't know for sure. The whole thing is a tonal study in grey. You know, it's kind of amazing what you can do with just one color, or I guess, shade. Look at how the graphite is layered, built up in certain areas to create a sense of depth and shadow. It’s like he's feeling out the form with his pencil, trying to capture not just the way things look but how they feel, their weight and presence. There's this one dark patch down in the lower left corner that feels almost oppressive. I think of Manet, or maybe Degas, especially his monotypes of similar scenes of theatre life. Ultimately though, Hopper's all his own; less interested in capturing a moment of excitement than, perhaps, a moment of quiet observation and reflection.