27 May 2013

Everyone has their favourite paintings - the ones you know the name of in several languages, the ones you throw around conversation like a matchbox in a tornado, or in my case, the ones that monopolise your desktop backgrounds.

My personal favourite is Edward Hopper's Nighthawks.
Painted in 1942, it is said to portray the sombre quiet that swept the US following the announcement of the Pearl Harbour attacks. The feeling is definitely captured, however, I love this piece for its silence, its tranquility, and its inherent voyeurism. A coffee, a late hour of the night and your own thoughts - sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

Like an iconic piece, there have been loads and loads of (pretty awesome) parodies.

The full resolution image can be found here, and the Wikipedia page here.