Group of Houses by Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper
1882-1967 | American

Group of Houses

Signed “Edward Hopper” (lower right)
Watercolor and pencil on paper

Edward Hopper is unparalleled in his depiction of the American ethos, rendering landscapes and figures with a mastery of light and atmosphere that is nothing short of legendary. Group of Houses, an exceptional watercolor from 1923, showcases Hopper’s profound grasp of these elements, marking a pivotal point in his illustrious career. This period is notable not only for the significant stylistic shift in Hopper’s work but also for his decision, influenced by his then-future wife Josephine Nivison, to focus predominantly on watercolors. Their time in Gloucester, Massachusetts inspired a series of landscapes of which Group of Houses is the masterpiece, distinguishing itself with its vibrant palette and meticulous composition.

This painting is an exceptional testament to Hopper’s draughtsmanship and his ability to evoke the essence of the American landscape. The use of warm browns, lush greens and deep ocean blues, combined with the precise delineation of architectural forms against a serene sky, transports the viewer to coastal tranquility, complete with the famed saltbox homes that dot the New England coast. A virtuosic mastery of light, a hallmark of Hopper’s work, imbues the scene with a sense of vibrant realism. Immediately after Hopper debuted his works in this medium, major institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and many esteemed collectors swiftly moved to acquire them.

Group of Houses remained a beloved part of the artist and Josephine’s collection throughout their lives. Upon her death, the work entered the Whitney Museum of American Art’s permanent collection as part of a monumental 1970 bequest, and it remained in the Whitney’s prestigious collection for more than fifty years and has been widely exhibited ever since. Any work by Hopper is a rare find on the market, as they are highly coveted by every American institution.

Painted 1923

Paper: 13 3/4" high x 19 3/4" wide (34.93 x 50.17 cm)
Frame: 21 1/2" high x 27 1/2" wide x 2 1/4" deep (54.61 x 69.85 x 5.72 cm)

View the Dossier

Provenance:
Josephine N. Hopper, acquired by descent from the artist in 1967
Whitney Museum of American Art, acquired by bequest from the above in 1970
Private Collection

Literature:
Gail Levin, Edward Hopper: A Catalogue Raisonné, vol. II, New York, 1995, no. W-82, p. 51, illustrated

Exhibited:
Nyack, Presidential Life Insurance Company, Edward Hopper/Nyack, 1971
New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, Edward Hopper: Selections from the Hopper Bequest, 1971, no. 78, p. 64
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Watercolors by Edward Hopper, 1972
Richmond, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Paintings of the American Scene: Hopper, Burchfield and Marsh, 1974-75
New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, Hopper: Paintings and Watercolors, 1993