After Jan Matejko’s Stanczyk, here’s another sad clown, this time painted by Edward Hopper. In this video, we’re looking at his 1914 Soir Bleu. Support us on Patreon: / thecanvas #arthistory #art #edwardhopper
Cities are awful. Any portrait or patiche of urban life is an homage to death. Life, opportunity, possibility, beauty, care, and the glint in a child's eye can only be found in the countryside, those rural paintings where the consequence of one's actions or inactions looms gleefully _hopeful_ rather than dismally dreadful.
A perculiar talent; the ability to paint 'silence'. Although background noises would prob surround the events in Hopper's works, they fade into insignifance and silence 'muffles' them. For e.g. the painting Morning Sun (woman in pink on bed) would contain strret sounds, traffic, etc and yet we seem to identify with the women who seems oblivious to her surroundings - in her own personal silence. All painting are 'intrisically' silent but Hopper actually had the skill to make it tangible - THAT is surely, genius!
Agreed. In fact others may perceive his theme as “lonely people”. But I’ve always wondered what HIS take was on it. Has anyone ever asked him? Does he consider his characters lonely, or simply alone?
I’m a clown and I love this painting, clowns had a different connotation in France at this time. The clown in the painting is a particular type that was born in France (the Pierrot) which was born out of the Italian commedia del arte (Pedrolino) This character was quite famous during the time-the character being advanced by more development of the lyrical sad nature, more beautiful than the original. It could be that he added it as a symbolic gesture, as clowns are less “human” and more archetypal. Clowns don’t normally sit down in full makeup in a cafe especially as some of them were considered “stars” at the time (Jean Louis Barrault)
Thank you for mentioning the commedia dell’arte connection. Many other modernist painters were using Pierrot and Harlequin as subjects during the same decade, including Picasso and Gris. I could easily see that the Pierrot figure in Soir Bleu could be a self portrait. Other figures in the painting could be interpreted as stock characters as well - the supposed prostitute suggests Columbine, and the man with the epaulettes could easily be identified as the captain. Maybe the man that the video suggests is a pimp is actually hiding a Harlequin costume under his bulky shirt and cloak… (long shot, I know, but that’s the beauty of art - you can see what you want to see). Interestingly, the figure in profile wearing the artist’s-type cap strongly resembles Vincent Van Gogh as we know him from his many self portraits, with his long nose and sharp red beard. Another tragic figure, isolated and misunderstood. I’m glad Hopper’s career worked out better for him in time.
He did paint clowns again. Maybe not a "sad clown" but certainly a melancholy pair of Pierrots on stage in his Two Comedians painting from 1965. As his final painting, it certainly serves as a curtain call.
There’s an old urban legend in art history that the clown in Soir Bleu was actually a self portrait of hopper himself. Either from a photo of his younger self or as he was at the time. Incredibly interesting. I have a tattoo of the clown from Soir Bleu.
I grew up outside Chicago. As a teen, I ditched class and took the train to the Art Institute at least once a month. There's nothing like looking at Nighthawks up close and personal. I was very fortunate to have access to a major art museum as a kid and as an adult (although I don't go much anymore).
I spent the summer of 1996 in Chicago with a term at De Paul's law school a couple blocks from the AI. I was so broke that summer, but the Art Institute's admission was a suggested donation. I was there many afternoons before class. I had a similar experience to yours with Hopper. And others. What a tremendous place.
I remember watching that painting when I was a child and thinking "poor clown, he is tired from a long day of working", that painting always drawned me, it has that sensation of loneliness but at the same time some kind of peacefulness
@@dankyjoker I just noticed that hehe, I meant to say "drawed" or "Attracted me", english is not my first language, so I probably committed several mistakes hehe.
edward hopper has been my favourite artist. whenever i see his paintings, i feel like he captured the paintings just like a photographer would, but drawn with hands and holds so much personal feelings. i don’t know how to describe it, they’re just beautiful.
I feel people didn't have the same emotion tied into it like he did, it seemed like it went right over their heads. All his work is very somber and introspective to me. I am a sucker for sad clowns but I was struck by the painting right away!
What I always liked about Night Hawks was how American it is. I always thought of this artist as being one of the first to capture a uniquely American aesthetic. I love French art too, but the fact that Soir Bleu is very French makes me think that Hopper hadn't found his true element yet. That he was just imitating what he learned in France and what he thought would be more popular, instead of finding his own niche which is what would eventually make him uniquely special.
I've always felt that Soir Bleu is an odd work. I'm not a fan of it at all. There is no connection between artist and subject, like it is a holiday snap from a tourist - Soir Bleu the artist is an observer. While in Nighthawks the artist is the participant.
It's funny. The "American aesthetic" that I think you draw attention to always struck me as a shallow dramatic backdrop, lacking the grit, texture and natural decay in something like an Andrew Wyeth painting. Originally it was an obstacle to my appreciation. That was until I became aware of the psychological state of the subjects. Almost a level of suffering. It was then that the environment seemed appropriate and in place because that's what trying to live a "social script" does for a human being. It leaves the soul lonely and alienated.
sure, some few people are irrationally afraid of clowns - but they are loved individually from circus clowns to TV shows of yester-year - clowns are loved Look at: Batatinha from Portugal - Grandma clown of the Big Apple Circus Carequinha - Brazilian clown and actor, born in a circus family in Brazil Cha-U-Kao - French clown, performer at the Moulin Rouge Pinto Colvig - American clown who later became famous as the voice of Goofy. David Shiner - Tony Award-winning American mime & circus clown Bello Nock, Ringling Brothers Circus Emmett Kelly - c'mon The Fratellini Family - family of French clowns Frosty - last Master Clown - Ringling Brothers Oleg Popov - Russian clown & Karandash Perry and McKenzie - Zig and Zag Australian television clowns I LOVE CLOWNS! You are a clown!
@@TAROTAI I feel like we've lost a lot of the love in the states with the rise in popularity of the "bad clown" trope. We real clowns just want to entertain, but most people here see the makeup and think pennywise or insane possy types. It's not disheartening enough to make me want to stop, but it's increasingly difficult to avoid and or explain. It confuses Americans that anyone would genuinely want to bring joy to random children of all ages simply for the love of smiles. Plus it IS a little odd to see a live action cartoon character come to life and twist a handful of balloons into a farm. I understand why some are afraid of clowns... but a clown is what I am. I don't even identify as human. Thanks for your list! There's a couple on there I'm unfamiliar with that I'll look into today. You missed Lou Jacobs and Emmett Kelly's junior... well, a complete list of amazing clowns would go on for days, but Lou was the first living person on a postage stamp and one of the founders of the Ringling clown college. There was drama about Emmett Jr copying his father's clown, but they weren't the same character exactly. Emmett Sr was the first to market himself and the 70s and 80s had clown themed children's bedrooms all over America as a result. My collection is getting out of hand. I have a small library on clowns and circus history. I could go on forever.
Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper met on many occasions and it's interesting that both were masters of the expression of detachment and loneliness. It can be argued that Wyeth's "Christina's World" evokes the same feelings and resonates those separate from, or insulated in their unique and secluded environments. Great Video!
I am new to art appreciation. While I was aware of and in awe of Andrew Wyeth's work, in particular "Christina's World," I had seen Hopper's "Nighthawks" primarily in advertising, often manipulated to fit a message. This is just to concede that I speak from awe, not information. I understand that in his visits to France as a young artist, Edward Hopper had an unrequited love affair. Apparently, he was willing to make a fool or a "clown" of himself to advance this relationship, but with no success. While "Soir Bleu" came years later, I wonder when I see that painting if Mr. Hopper suffered the pain of this romantic disappointment for a lifetime "... as lovers often do ... "
Something his art does for you is make you feel seen. As the person who often goes unnoticed, and lonely and I can resonate with these people in his lonely figure paintings, him painting them realistically and emotional effective makes me feel like I’m being seen myself when looking at it. It gives a melancholy, almost unnerving feeling yet a warm and bright feeling all in one. It’s very fascinating to get such an emotion from a painting
I find it interesting how Edward Hopper was able to portray/show loneliness even when in groups/society. Especially from today's society of cell phones and internet and so much interconnection but also disconnect. They feel very modern to me. I think some of them tie into how capitalism is lonely and other similar themes. Thanks for the great videos, I enjoy them!
For sure. And I think he was probably using the word "alienation" in the video in the Marxist sense. I agree about the connections of loneliness and isolation to industrial capitalist society, and I think it makes sense historically with anti-capitalist movements being much more mainstream at that time than they are now.
I'm guessing the word you were looking for is "Modernity" instead of Capitalism right?, otherwise your statement wouldn't make much sense. I agree, because of our modern way of life this paintings acquired a very timeless appeal.
Hopper had an ability to portray isolation and the fear of the unknown like no other. In every one of his paintings there is an eeriness that lingers in the background. I would argue that the viewer is to feel they are being watched as we are watching the subjects themselves. The canvass becomes a mirror, in a way, reflecting the shared human experience of the creeping feeling you are being watched. I always particularly enjoy his paintings within cities. The subjects are surrounded by people and yet his scenes feel so isolated, so empty, so cold. Yet, despite the fact that it feels empty, there is a sense that someone/something is watching either the subjects or the viewer themselves. While I'm not much of an art fan, per se, I've always enjoyed the work of Hopper in particular. Thanks for the video.
I used to have a kinda twisted view of the world, and thought i found comfort in art, thanks to your channel i discovered that i found comfort in the *meaning* of art, not art itself, i appreciate you for that.
I was lucky enough to see this painting last week in nyc and was immediately drawn to it. It stands out as almost the antithesis of nighthawks, which is why I think fewer people enjoy it. Definitely one of my favorites
This has long been my secret favorite painting of Hopper's. When I look at Soir Bleu, I see Hopper considering the most influential array of European artists during his time in Paris, and wondering perhaps at what his own legacy could one day be. Consider the "bohemian" as Van Gogh, the bearded man as Matisse, the woman as Renoir, Lautrec in the lower left, and of course the clown is Picasso himself.
It's one of my favorite paintings. I always felt like the clown looks like he is tired of depending on his audience in the sense that performing it's both his passion, but also the thing that keeps food on the table. He is also tired because of the nature of his job he can't quite escape it (his face is still painted even if he is off the job, relaxing). He feels trapped by his own talent as a performer, but it's also everything he cares about. Even when he just wants to be, to simply exist, he feels the pressure to perform and people only see him through one particular lens, hence him feeling disconnected and alienated. There aren't many paintings I would like to own, but this one is something else.
I love that clown. As an art student I painted a copy of it when I was 18. There is so much color in that little scene. The clown is surrounded by a blue bottle, the blue background, the contrasting orange lantern and red makeup. He is crisp white. The banister as well as the clown's face are actually light green.
I find it interesting that Hopper gave all the figures blacked out eyes, being windows to the soul, like voids. It's very creepy, and he did it in several of his other paintings. His emphasis on alienation loneliness, and solitude, makes him a standout painter in the modern era. He's the perfect pandemic painter.
During my art school entrance exam we had pictures of paintings to choose from and analyse. The one who caught my intention most was this exact painting. I knew nothing about it, but I chose it as it piqued my interest. To be honest I think I could’ve done better with my analysis now that I see how well you did it and saw things I missed. However, this is the painting that got me into art school. Hearing how it didn’t get the attention it deserves got to me, I admired this painting for a long time now. And I’m glad to know more about it, and the artist.
This painting always reminded me of Picasso's Le Moulin de la Galette. It feels like a similar setting with the lanterns and the suspected sex workers, but the emotion overriding the party is less sinister and mysterious, more thoughtful and depressed. Great video
Mate, congrats on 100k. I know this recent growth has been insanely fast come out of fucking nowhere but you definitely deserve it all, so thanks for all your videos. I swear you spent the longest time on like 20k lol.
I really love history, well ones that will make me focus and actually learn, this is the right channel to turn too. I know I only watched you for a year, but that has had a big impact on my learning.
Just watched the stanczyk video and discovered your channel yesterday, binged it and now there's this. Definitely great work, watching you talk about the art makes it so much more enjoyable
Hopper is one of my favorite artists. I like to sit in a food court at a mall and observe people. Hopper’s work relates to me in the same manner, sitting and observing people.
I don't know the first thing about art, but I kinda love this clown. Maybe it's the bald head, the black eyes, the red markings or the cigarette, but there's something about him that feels brutal, like there's a lot of anger and strength hidden under the surface. Like he's about to get up, walk away and be the main character in a trashy action movie. Most badass sad clown I've ever seen, basically
I wonder why the clown was singled out and painted all in white? Is it because happiness is just an illusion, filled with sadness and confusion? And psycho killers?
Thank you for your channel. Edward Hopper was early in my art history studies one of my favorite painters. What has always struck me about Hopper is I felt like I knew the places he painted, though none of them are places I have been. The architecture that he painted is still in our neighborhoods. The sweeping rural landscape is a drive in the country. He painted America as he saw it, the way his ‘audience’ saw it. We can still see it. This scene is almost alien. It could be from a stage set for a sf movie, or a film noir. What struck me about it first is how flat it is. There is no real background, no depth beyond the characters. (It must be a seaside cafe?) There is nothing that ‘frames’ the scene. I tried an experiment. Make a ‘frame’ with your fingers. Put the clown in the frame, so that two thirds of the painting are blocked out. Move it around. There is a place where it just pops, and I say, ah, now I see it. The reviewer said ‘not quite successful’ - so close, so very close. As to the ‘sad clown’ - America, is not aware, unfortunately, of the Commedia della’arte Stock characters from which most modern clowns have their origins. This is Pierrot, always a gentle, sad character, because he is destined to be the figure of unrequited love; the object of his affection turns him down for the leading man. That speaks volumes that would have been been lost on an American audience.
I had never seen Soir Bleu before your video. I found it to be an excellent painting, as much as you can tell from a RU-vid video. You descriptions and explanations of art and artist are excellent.
Hopper is a fascinating painter for sure. Back in 2019 I think there was a show of his works curated at the VMFA in Richmond, a couple blocks from where I lived at the time. The theme of the exhibition was Hopper's paintings of hotels and figures in transient spaces, which I felt highlighted his acute ability to portray that distinctive American loneliness we seem to have accidentally inherited from that manifest destiny obsession with the frontier. I think I prefer "nighthawks" (which I saw in person for the first time earlier this year) to "soir bleu", because I feel like it showcases what Hopper does so well: the unique ways in which Americans isolate themselves.
Oh these kind of art analysis are one of the things I miss most about art school! That's a sub from me, love the stage presence, your hair is so well done and your voice is quite lovely to listen to. Looking forward to more!
I'm a huge fan of Hopper. He has many great paintings and undoubtably "Nighthawks" is a great work of art but I think "Soir Bleu" may be at a higher level. I don't think the clown in the painting is a clown. It's that he feels like a clown. And there's a strange correlation with the woman standing behind him looking over and past him, in that she too has a dramatic "painted face". So glad this painting is getting attention, thank you and for all your art history videos.
My favorite Edward Hopper piece is Morning Sun. It was the first visceral reaction I had to a painting ever. It's in the Columbus Museum of art and I saw it when I was a young teenager. If I were to name an experience that directly led to who I am today, I would put it on that painting.
I have no idea how you ended up in my recommended but I love your channel, dude. Art has always been of interest to me through my life and though that usually takes form in video game design and writing, I've always felt I lack a basic understanding of how to really "get" most traditional art. These videos are really helping me understand this side of things and filling me with a more general knowledge of names and pieces. I'm sure its no replacement for formal education but this stuff still goes a long way. Thanks
This has always been my favorite Hopper. Maybe because I’m too am an artist and I feel the “out of placeness” this painting so amazingly proposes. I also have always been the “funny guy” in most of my social circles and this, for me, also captures the feeling of “nobody likes a clown if he’s not making me laugh.” If the funny guys is sad people get freaked out.
I like how the subtitles dub Soir Bleu as Swag Blur That aside, I recently found the channel and it just the content I’ve been looking for! After starting university last year on an art course, I’ve developed an appreciation for art history and your videos are perfect for delving deeper into it.
Probably because the host pronounces “bleu” more like “blur.” As a French speaker, I found that distracting. But the rest of his French was quite good.
@@marydonohoe8200 that is probably the case, it just made me chuckle seeing the different variations of Soir Bleu that the subtitles would come up with
Love both Nighthawks and Soir Bleu. I love the meticulous planning that went into nighthawks. As well as the cool, matured, secretive aura around it. I had the privilege of seeing the painting in Chicago 2 weeks ago and the work really does sing like, in my opinion, much of his work does not. Although I do wish it was bigger. But I do like how this piece portrays loneliness in a more nuanced way. A way a lot of us can relate to. Feeling alone, while surrounded by others. Would have liked to see more works of his exploring the concepts of Soir Bleu and the qualities of nighthawks. Thank you for another wonderful video.
Nighthawks is a weird one for me. I’ve always loved the painting even when I was to young to understand why I loved it. It’s existed longer than I have so I’m honestly not sure if I love it now because it’s actually an amazing painting from a technical perspective or if I love it because of nostalgia. That being said though for some reason I always felt like it was missing something. Like it needed one more figure in it or maybe a car or something. I don’t know, maybe that was the point of it. Longing. I still think my favorite is “Gas” though.
I had never seen this painting before. Thank you so much for discussing it here. It is as distressing as "Nighthawks," and the critics were shallow losers to say what they did about it. Thank God Hopper did not throw it away. It is a masterpiece.
Critics are almost always on a losing position. Using words to describe that which is more delicate and sensitive. The best critics are artists. Guston Giacometti, Wyeth and Moore. Artists who fight with words in order to give us an understanding of process. That's the beauty of art for me. Each persons unique and individual precess. Their own fingerprint.
You're using all the words I always felt from hopper. Never a lover of art galleries n such but hopper pulls my heart strings. Alienated disconnect n voyeur is exactly the feeling I get along with nostalgia n melancholy. Maybe because the times but I always think of Mad Men the show when i see his art
I think I prefer Soir Bleur, there’s much more intimacy and story told in everyone’s faces, which is amazing because Night Hawks is easily one of my favorite paintings of all time. Thank you for introducing this wonderful work to me.
Thank you for championing "Soir Bleu", which I like as much as "Nighthawks" and many others of Hopper artworks. I recall being saddened by the fate of "Soir Bleu" during Hopper's lifetime as recounted by Levin in her book. Coming early in Edward's career I feel "Soir Bleu" is like a bookend to his final canvas "Two Comedians", the other instance where he may have painted a clown(s)?
I like them both. Soir Bleu's clown remind's me of a time when I was a little girl after watching a play. As I waited for my ride, I saw one of the performers smoking a cigarette, looking different than the character I'd just seen. At the time, it made me feel like you couldn't trust what you think you know. I like the brush strokes and the interesting characters surrounding the clown. Night Hack is clean. It gives me a more realistic feeling of what is happening at the time.
thank you!!!!! for years i made a pilgrimage to hopper's boyhood home in nyack, ny...i could imagine him there viewing the hudson from upstairs!!! the painting reminds me of a favorite charles mingus composition: "the clown"...
The clown in Soir Bleu is a striking character, one that draws me to the painting, but the rest of the scene is just some strange noise that makes the message seem cheap.
Do you think you could do a video on the strange and macabre history of mummy brown paint? How artists actually used grounded up mummies for a specific shade of brown. I'd love to hear your thoughts about that.
Firstly... This presenter is 100% professional. He researches his subjects thoroughly and scrips his immaculate monologues. No, you know, like, this, like that and other gibberish that has me clicking to another platform with more articulate speaker hosts. Hopper was, like me, a pro illustrator for a good part of his life. That's how he put food on the table and paid his rent. I don't see the slick illustrator in the French clown piece, it's too painterly to impressionistic, with shaky draughtsmanship... that I love. Night Hawks is an illustrators painting with liner and Arial perspective worthy of a renascence master. I agree with you. The clown makes me empathetic, Night Hawks makes me admire Hopper's superb illustration skills. 10/10 for both works.
Both Nighthawks and Soir Bleu have I think equal strengths and are both beautiful. Hopper's works have a consistency to them. Also, he did paint clowns after Soir Bleu; his final painting, which portrays him and his wife as two entertainers. Please take a look and I'd like your thoughts on it.
I don't know much about art, just a casual enjoyer, but I've always loved Hopper's paintings, always felt a sense of familiarity whenever I saw them. My personal favorite is Room in Brooklyn, had it up on my wall since I was 13. Your explanation about his paintings put my emotions into words, its seems obvious now that I hear it, but now I understand why those paintings resonated with me so much.
I was in the middle of a quick pass through when the Clown made me hit the air braked. Hopper has for ever been a favorite who has 'drawn me in' from my early man hood. He speaks to me in all his works with that same intensity. He is the Chet Baker & Chris Botti volume & tempo of their Trumpets as he lays down brushed paint of his mind on the canvas emotion of his offerings. This, the Clown, is so appealing with its volume & so loud with the very emotion of each character. The red of the Soldiers neck, the red of the woman's cheeks & gaze & then the direction of the red marks of the Clown's face takes the total image to a much greater level of quiet intensity of my appreciation in all is pieces. This is a real treat for me. And your discussion is so appreciated as so worthy of Hoppers gifts to us. Thank You for your words. His loud control of volume with human silence is so worthy of this particular time on this 3rd rock.
That's a sad story man, i feel sorry for him :( those damn americans cared more for his painting of a new york square than a masterful painting of emotion, that's how you kill creativity. I've witnessed these kind of situations happening alot in the USA.
I think the painting was not ahead of its time, I think it just touched a core that people were uncomfortable with at the time. To be in a crowded place but to still feel alone (depression). I found the clown to be poignant as he portrays the extreme. Personally, I love the painting.
Hopper managed to make me relive that time when I was out late night with my dad I sometimes have a hard time sleeping as a child so instead of the usual "just go to bed" order, my dad decided to take me out on a walk We ended up in a 24/7 bowling alley with very cozy lighting and nothing but the sounds of the occasional pins being struck by the few players there at a 2am and the buzzing sound of those old lightbulbs from the 90s We played till the sun came up and I would never let that experience go Probably the best sleep I have ever had It really shows how powerful art can be whether it's a detailed portrait of the face of Christ, or a simple sketch of your random passerby
As an artist myself, I love art of others. The musicians, painters, woodcarvers, clowns. I often have dreamt about a sad clown. I always wanted to paint him, but my fear of judgement always holds me back. Maybe one day I could be like the clown in soir bleu. There. I love melancholy of this piece. The composition, the colours… just chef’s kiss. Thank you all the creative minded people who make our world otherworldly colourful with all the ideas and creations❤
Edward Hopper has always been a favorite of mine. I have never seen the clown before now. Everyone always says he was an illustrator. I think he was a great artist.
He is my favorite American artist. In one painting a woman looks out of the window. The focus is not on the woman or on what she is looking at, but at the space in-between these two things, a peculiar ineffable mood that hangs there for a brief moment. He captures the emptiness around people, and also the subtle moods that surround specific buildings. He paints brief moments that touch the timeless.
What a welcomed thoughtful and compassionate commentary on the complexity of an extremely misunderstood artist! As someone who once studied making and learning the history of visual art, I must say that it is gratifying to know that truly authentic art criticism is alive and well in folks much younger than my 70 years! Thanks greatly for posting this informative and thought provoking essay on Edward Hopper's life and art, inextricably intertwined as they were!
Alongside Andrew Wyeth, Hopper is one of my favourite artists. Excellent analysis and commentary - very sympathetic and full of both artistic and emotional insights. Only landed on 'The Canvas' through one of those random RU-vid recommendations. Made my day. Bell rung.
Really love your commentary on painting it’s a wonderful talent to be able to describe to a lay person the incites of a wonderful artist , also you are very handsome guy
Hoppers approach in this “blue French” painting reminds me of a bar that closed down recently in my city of Miami. It was marketed for outcast/rocker type. There plenty of nights where I visited and many people were present but not engaging with each other. Certain nights had the same melancholy vibes as this painting. Very good
Thanks for this. I just saw Soire Bleu for the first time recently at the Whitney and was really taken by its atmosphere and beauty. Mesmerizing painting.
I have always found clowns fascinating because of the sadness and also loneliness and Hopper depicted this in his art like you were there in the painting looking at them for real. His loneliness paintings are astonishing the feelings really comes through 💖
Such a strange and unique painting for Hopper and great job on the video btw. I think it's interesting looking at photos of Hopper in his later years and you can see how his facial structure is a bit similair to that of the sad clown....reminds me of the idea that every painting is a self portrait. Also, the way the eyes are painted in this piece is fascinating too...blackened and empty, almost like Coraline eyes
Man, arts is what I want to do in the future, even if my country is not very good for it, but besides you talk about what I like usually focusing on the feeling of fear, that voice is what makes this channel stand out even a Goya turns into calm appreciation instead of horror.
