Edward Hopper's 1942 painting Nighthawks is considered his most recognizable piece, depicting people sitting gloomily at a diner late at night. Inspired by a Manhattan diner, the painting was created shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack and represents the somber mood across America in response. Featuring no door and people dressed for summer despite being painted in winter, Nighthawks uses symbolism to convey a sense of isolation through its minimalist style and nighttime urban setting, characteristics common across Hopper's oeuvre.

1. Nighthawks –1942 – Edwardhopper
30 x 60; oil on canvas
People sittingata dinerlate at night
His mostrecognizable piece
Displayedatthe art institute of Chicago
Term nighthawkisusedto describe someonewhostaysuplate
Inspiredbya small dinerinmanhattan
Paintedimmediatelyafterpearl harbor
People inpaintingare supposedtobe gloomyrepresentingthe feelingacrossthe unitedstatesafterthe
attack
Gloomypeople are atheme throughouthoppersworks
Interestingpointsof the picture,nodoor(furthersthe feelingof gloom;notonpurpose),paintedin
Decemberbutppl insummerclothes,cigarsignontop of diner,
Many paintingswere inspiredbynighthawks
Edward hopper:bornjuly22 1182 diedmay 15 1967; American painter/printmaker; knownforhisoil
paintingsbutalsoskilledwithwatercolorsandetching;borninuppernew York;marriedto Josephine
nivison;twomainsourcesof inspiration(commonfeaturesof Americanlife,rural land/seascape);well
over3000 piecesof workwhenhe died