This work resulted from a composite representation of several gasoline stations seen by the artist. The light in this painting—both natural and artificial—gives the scene of a gas station and its lone attendant at dusk an underlying sense of drama. But rather than simply depicting a straightforward narrative, Hopper's aim was "the most exact transcription possible of my most intimate impressions of nature"—in this case, the loneliness of an American country road. Fellow artist Charles Burchfield believed these paintings would remain memorable beyond their time, because in his "honest presentation of the American scene . . . Hopper does not insist upon what the beholder shall feel."
2006
Kids label from 2025
Road trip!
Imagine you’re driving across the United States. What might you see along the way? Edward Hopper painted this gas station based on memories of several different ones he had seen while traveling.
On your trip, pretend that you get out of your car here. What might you hear and smell? What time of day could it be?
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