Edward Hopper, Nighthawks 1942 (Oil on Canvas)

When considering the theme of Isolation, specifically human isolation, I immediately thought of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. Through his use of strong contrast, Hopper creates a dark night-time environment. The open and barren space of the street also indicates a sense of loneliness and silence. The man facing away from the viewer sitting by himself seems alone and deep in thought, hidden by a shadow. Also, the couple do not seem to be engaged in conversation, but are rather staring blankly into space. Edward Hopper personally sought solitude in his lifetime, and reflected that in his art. "I didn't see it as particularly lonely (referring to his work). I simplified the scene a great deal and made the restaurant bigger. Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city," stated Hopper. The figures in the painting reveal a sense of vulnerability and boredom. While in the same diner, the figures seem as if they don't notice there are others around them. The design of the diner also adds a sense of emptiness. The viewer can see into the scene through the large glass window, yet the figures fail to interact with the viewer. This painting allows the viewer to share a feeling of isolation with the figures.