The book was published on the occasion of the exhibition: "Edward Hopper", organised by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; and the Art Institute of Chicago, 2007-2008. It comprises a series of nine essays by different writers, and concludes with Notes, a Chronology, a Checklist and Figure Illustrations and a Selected Bibliography.

This is a handsome volume large in size and almost square in format, illustrated throughout predominately in colour. The informative essays, each dealing with a specific period or genre, discuss the artist, his work and his methods, are illustrated throughout, with the relevant works appearing on or close to the page on which there are discussed. The illustrations are excellent, virtually full colour throughout, the black and white images being mainly drawings or period photographs. Many of the paintings are reproduced half or full page size, with a few full page bleed images of a detail from selected paintings. The quality of reproduction is excellent, often revealing the brush work and surface texture, and the colour rich and vibrant. In total there are 202 illustrations of which 180 are in full colour, they represent works in oils, watercolours and prints. A very desirable publication. ( )

Don't pass up the opportunity to see this exhibit. The solitary life is magnificently depicted in place and in persons. You can't help but walk away from each piece knowing that a story has just been told to you in private, a story that mimics your own secret. The catalog is a fine reminder of that experience and the conversation that Troyen and others have with you are illuminating. Make the trip. Read the catalog. And make the trip again. Lovely. ( )

I recently saw the Edward Hopper exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washinton DC - a truly remarkable and beautiful exhibit of Hopper's works. While Night Hawks is his most celebrated work I also greatly admired seeing "Chop Suey" (on the cover) and "Gas". This is a great book that covers that exhibit in detail. ( )