Early Works by Edward Hopper Exhibited at Mark Murray Fine Paintings in New York

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed)
Jan 19th 2011 at 9:31AM

In conjunction with the Whitney Museum of Art's acclaimed Edward Hopper exhibition, Mark Murray Fine Paintings on Manhattan's Upper East Side is holding an exhibition of original works of art by the groundbreaking Ashcan School artist. All of the works are available for purchase.

Thirty rare early drawings, watercolors and a landscape in oil are on view at the gallery, all of which were formerly in the collection of the artist's widow, Jo Hopper, and subsequently given to the Reverend Arthayor R. Sanborn. Interestingly, Sanborn was a close friend of the Hopper family and served as the minister who officiated at the burial ceremonies for Hopper in 1967.

Mark Murray Fine Paintings' exhibition reveals Hopper's early mastery of drawing, particularly the human form, his fondness for literary sources, and his admiration for the paintings of the Old Masters. A subtle psychology can also be seen taking shape, especially in the many subjects he approached as an illustrator.

Gallery: Edward Hopper Exhibit at Mark Murray Fine Paintings

Three highlights of this collection include a large and bold drawing depicting the artist's mother, Elizabeth Griffiths Smith Hopper, executed c. 1900; an early landscape in oil titled "Country Road" (1897) (seen above), one of only 32 paintings by Hopper remaining in private hands; and a striking illustration depicting firemen at work titled "Under Control" (1907-10). A selection of drawings from this collection were included in the catalogue for an exhibition titled "The Early Drawings of Edward Hopper" (with an essay by Hopper scholar Gail Levin), held at Kennedy Galleries, New York in 1995.

This exhibition, which runs through April 29th, coincides with the major show, Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time, on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art until April 10th.

The works can be previewed at Mark Murray Fine Paintings' website or at its gallery, which is located at 39 East 72nd Street (at Madison Avenue) in Manhattan. For more information, call Mark Murray Fine Paintings at (212) 585-2380 or email info@markmurray.com.

Tags: art, art gallery, Ashcan, edward hopper, exhibition, Mark Murray, Mark Murray Fine Paintings, whitney museum, Whitney Museum of Art