Edward Hoppers's painting 'Nighthawks' (1942). Hoppers is an American Modernist artist.
This painting is a portrayal of modern urban life as empty or lonely. It is sharply outlined by the fact that the man with his back to us appears more lonely because of the couple sitting next to him. If one looks closely, it becomes apparent that there is no way out of the bar area, as the three walls of the counter form a triangle which traps the attendant. It is also notable that the diner has no visible door leading to the outside, which illustrates the idea of confinement and entrapment. The shapes and diagonals are carefully constructed. The viewpoint is cinematic—from the sidewalk, as if the viewer in approaching the restaurant. The diner's harsh electric light sets it apart from the dark night outside, enhancing the mood and subtle emotion. The conclusion can also be drawn that Hopper painted the emptiness pervading the city. This conclusion can be substantiated by the observation that three-quarters of the painting is empty and has no sign of human life in it.