Summer Evening depicts a young couple sitting in the house veranda talking in the evening. In this painting, Hopper plays with the themes of love, concealing, and revealing. The rest of the painting is dark, showing the time of day. However, the light that shines on the veranda transforms it into a public space instead of a private one. The interior of the house is concealed by drapes which echo the woman’s skirt. Although the couple is not explicitly in a relationship, their interaction combined with the atmosphere creates a sense of tension. Like many of his other paintings, it prompts the viewer to wonder if other people are watching them and if other elements in the scene are unknown to the viewer.

SKU: 52559
Creator: Edward Hopper
Location: Private Collection