Checking off ‘To see Nighthawks’ from my bucket list
Finally saw my favorite painting, Nighthawks, in person today. My first reaction, seeing it from across the showroom, was, “Uh-oh, it’s definitely smaller than I’ve imagined.” I had seen this painting in the media and in my mind countless times. And yet, it had always been bigger in my fantasy.
The first time I saw Nighthawks was back when it was one of the optional backgrounds on the Mac. Something in my head just clicked and I was so drawn to it that I devoured every piece of information about the painting. However, to me, the information just didn’t add up. None of the facts and analysis came close to describe/explain the feelings it evoked in me.
So I walked closer to the painting. Now, here I was, face to face with Nighthawks. I realized how wrong I was. It was still exactly the same size as when I was across the room but it felt so dauntingly gigantic now. Then, I understood why nothing written could do it any justice. Consuming and mesmerizing, it perfectly reflected the nuance of the feelings that escaped our tongues. These feelings are different to us individually but we shared the same unspoken-ness. A profoundness/subtlety that was experienced but could not be expressed through words. In Japanese, there’s a term for it: Kyoka Suigetsu (Mirror flower, water moon).
That’s why I love both Nighthawks and my SBGD001 so much. There’s no sensible way to translate how they look or feel into words. The 001 and Nighthawks are simply there, for you to experience.
—FirstTimeStan
One of my favorites as well…the painting.
That it does. ✌
Hopper has always been a favorite of mine. I saw this in a traveling exhibition over a decade ago. Hopper uses light so beautifully. Look how the the pavement and row houses are illuminated by the interior lights of the diner. Grand Seiko is perhaps at the pinnacle in the watchmaking art of creating interest with reflected light. As an aside, there is a 50% chance each figure in the painting would have been wearing an Elgin.
Welcome to Chicago! (I think this painting is in the Art Institute of Chicago, but it may be on a tour, too.)
Hopper has always been a favorite of mine. I saw this in a traveling exhibition over a decade ago. Hopper uses light so beautifully. Look how the the pavement and row houses are illuminated by the interior lights of the diner. Grand Seiko is perhaps at the pinnacle in the watchmaking art of creating interest with reflected light. As an aside, there is a 50% chance each figure in the painting would have been wearing an Elgin.
Exactly! For the longest time, I was trying to figure out where the light sources were coming in his paintings. You could usually tell from the directions the shadows were casting in from others’ works. It was impossible with Hopper.
Welcome to Chicago! (I think this painting is in the Art Institute of Chicago, but it may be on a tour, too.)
Thanks! It is still in Chicago. One of the best museums I’ve been to!
Thanks! It is still in Chicago. One of the best museums I’ve been to!
I do love the museums in Chicago especially the Art Institute of Chicago.
One of the benefits of travel is seeing original works that you have only seen in books (or these days online). The Mona Lisa, for example, is quite a small painting, and some of the works by French impressionist masters are large enough to cover walls.
I've always been mesmerized by this painting.
Busy YouTube artist who dissects this painting and shares the love for traditional art. Slowly you two helps us understand things a little bit better in a format that allows us to transcend just word or photos. Among it, it shares appreciation for your 001 as well. Although, not a commonly found watch on Instagram or other platforms, those in the know recognize how much of a heavy hitter that watch is.
I love, love, love, love Edward Hopper. I love that painting.