Stairway at 48 rue de Lille, Paris 1906

Edward Hopper likely painted this scene while he was living in Paris, sometime in the early 1900s, using oil on canvas. While these materials are traditional to fine art, what's really interesting here is how Hopper uses them to depict a decidedly ordinary subject: a staircase. Notice how the composition emphasizes the solid, geometric forms of the stairs themselves. They appear to be made of wood or stone, rendered in muted tones with visible brushstrokes that reveal the artist's hand. The wrought iron railing adds a touch of elegance, yet the overall impression is one of utilitarian simplicity. Hopper’s focus on such mundane architectural details suggests an interest in the built environment as it is experienced by everyday people. The painting is infused with a sense of quiet labor and routine. Hopper wasn't interested in grand narratives or idealized beauty, but rather in the understated dignity of the everyday. And in doing so, he elevates the ordinary to the realm of art.