Macomb's Dam Bridge
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
For some, modernity resulted in an increasing feeling of alienation, as people began moving through spaces at a faster pace. Edward Hopper captured this transitory nature of modern life in paintings infused with a sense of isolation and estrangement.
Completed at the height of Hopper’s career, this painting shows Macombs Dam Bridge, which connects Manhattan and the Bronx. There are no signs of life in the city. Instead, an eerie stillness pervades the scene, resulting in a disquieting mood.
Caption
Edward Hopper American, 1882–1967. Macomb's Dam Bridge, 1935. Oil on canvas, 35 x 60 3/16in. (88.9 x 152.9cm) frame: 40 7/8 x 66 x 3 3/4 in. (103.8 x 167.6 x 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mary T. Cockcroft, 57.145. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 57.145_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Macomb's Dam Bridge
Date
1935
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
35 x 60 3/16in. (88.9 x 152.9cm) frame: 40 7/8 x 66 x 3 3/4 in. (103.8 x 167.6 x 9.5 cm)
Signatures
Signed, lower right: "EDWARD HOPPER"
Credit Line
Bequest of Mary T. Cockcroft
Accession Number
57.145
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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Frequent Art Questions
I love this painting by Hopper.
This painting by Edward Hopper really evokes the idea of isolation in the urban environment. Every city has these edges, where industrialization is at the fore, and it's interesting to see that the focus here.I just love the quiet in this painting. What do you think about it?There's a loneliness and isolation in his work that I enjoy; he's one of my favorite painters.Absolutely. There is that isolation but it also feels so familiar to me. It reminds me of traveling into urban areas on trains.Cool, thanks much for your insight. This is my first time using this app, and I'm impressed.This is an uncharacteristic painting for Hopper.
Interesting comment! What makes you think that? For me, the isolation and somewhat desolate urban landscape are pretty Hopper-y.Well, it does have the solitude he portrays, but I'm more familiar with his other city scenes and buildings. Here, it's like the city blends in because it's painted in earth tones.Hm, I guess that's true. With this painting, the bridge is really the focus and the buildings are secondary. I really do like the way he portrayed the bridge and how he cropped the picture plane.It leads the eye into the painting but doesn't cut the scene in half.
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