Brittany Slade

February 8, 2015
Introduction to Art

An important part of objectively viewing artwork is to understand the elements and

principles of art. This is an important skill in general but, being able to understand how it applies
to a particular work of art can completely shift ones perspective. This is a vital part of analyzing
and understanding artwork because it usually reveals the artworks purpose. My plan is to depict
how the elements color and shape display the principle unity in Edward Hoppers Nighthawks.
Unity as defined by Merriam-Webster is a totality of related parts. To be unified
or in unison things must correlate as seen in Nighthawks. This is contrary to work that is abstract
as it purposely incorporates some type of imbalance. Unity can be seen in this artwork, more
specifically inside PHILLIES. All of the people in the image are engaged in the same thing.
They all appear to be sharing the same experience. There is no one that can be seen wandering or
that is out of the frame. Unity can also be seen in the way the building are painted. On this
particular street all of the buildings look the same. Finally this element is displayed through the
light shown in the image. Though there is light coming from directly inside the shop where the
people are, the amount of light is consistent throughout the image making it appear unified.
The recurring shape in the image is rectangular. The buildings, the windows on the
buildings, and the detailing on the bottom of the buildings are all rectangle shaped. This
consistency connects and makes the image appear unified. Though this may seem like a trivial
detail, the absence of it would completely alter the painting and how it is received by viewers.

Color is an important element of any piece of art. Even the absence of it will tell you
something about that artwork. In Nighthawks the colors blue and brick red are most prominent.
Again, this brings forth a sense of unity. The colors are intentionally used in the positions that
they are to push that principle. Inside the shop, the woman can be spotted easily in her candy red
dress. This pushes forward the purpose and adds to the image as a whole. The color was most
likely also used to enhance the setting. The use of the particular colors on the buildings make the
setting appear a bit more upscale. Hopper probably wanted us as viewers to grasp the setting
most importantly and from there conceive our own ideas on the specifics of what was going on.
The composition of a piece can tell you just as much about what is going on as any other
aspect of it would. This particular piece is oriented in a landscape fashion as to portrait. This
makes me believe that what is going on outside of the focal point, which would be the shop, is
just as important. Again, I feel this is indicative of the fact that setting was important to Hopper.
I believe that outside of being a fitting principle, unity could also serve as the theme for this
piece. Though there are only four people actually in the piece, I can tell from the surrounding
images that everyone in this community to some degree enjoys the same or a similar standard of
living. The shop is just as nice as what appears to be the residential building behind it.
Emanuel Cleaver once said there is more power in unity than division. This is true as
things are more evident and more believable when they are consistent. In Edward Hoppers
Nighthawks unity can be seen as a principle of art but moreover as a theme. The shape and the
colors used in the image all correlate which again pushes forth and indicates unity.