In the years since World War II, Americans have awakened, as never before, to the world’s art heritage, and have discovered the startling truth that a sizable and important :part of heritage in their own backyard. U.S. art, as Americans in general are beginning to realize, is neither a series of blurred engravings out of half-forgotten school histories nor a dim reflection of painting abroad. For the past two centuries it has stood on its own feet, comparing favorably with the art of every other nation except France. Drawing depth and drama from history it helps illustrate, it has reflected not European painting but American life - rough and smooth, tumultuous and diverse. And though it is a great river of many sources and many passing moods, its strongest single current throughout is a searching realism. The revered champion of that tradition in America today is Edward Hopper.
Less recognized, but equally true, is the fact that, at 74, Edward Hopper, painter extraordinary, expresses the present moment of American life with all the vigor and attachment of youth. One remark of Emerson’s applies very well to Hopper’s painting: “In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty”. Hopper is clearly a genius of this kind; he paints not only what Americans have seen from the corners of their eyes, but also what they have dimly thought and felt about.
Hopper has opened a whole new chapter in American realism, painting a new world of men, Cole a world of nature, and Homer a world of struggle between the two, Hopper paints the raw, uneasy world that Americans have built on this land.
1. What truth did Americans discover in art field?
2. What was the major characteristic of Americans’ paintings?
3. What does the statement “It is a great river of many sources…?” Imply? (Para. 1)
4. What is Hopper famous for?
5. In which aspects can Hopper’s painting be regarded as genius work?
