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Edward Hopper: Automat

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Originally published: 12th October 2022

'Automat' is a 1927 oil on canvas painting by American artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967)

an automat whose orbs of light reflect and touch the void of night a refuge from the twenties’ roar trapped in her thoughts without a door a table, cup and gloveless hand alone together in her land a bowl of fruit that sits behind: the 'still life' and her state of mind.

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Marikate Kingston

Date: 12/16/2023 9:16:00 PM

This painting is lovely, as was your poem. I was especially fond of your second stanza, "The pensive refuge, what is on her mind?" It's fun to ponder. This was on the cover of a book I read when I was getting my masters, for an english lit' class. It's neat to see it again after all these years. I'm glad to have found your poem tonight Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 12/17/2023 3:20:00 AM

Thank you Marikate. I love to ponder artworks, particularly those of Hopper. I'd love to know what happened just before and just after this scene. Cheers - Gary

Ellen Gwaltney Bales

Date: 10/25/2023 2:52:00 PM

Beautiful! I have that picture hanging in my home. Your poem brings it to life. Ellen

Ellen Gwaltney Bales
Date: 10/26/2023 2:14:00 PM

I didn't know that about Hopper. So interesting. I'm sure every great painting has its own back story.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/26/2023 11:32:00 AM

Thank you Ellen. I watched a film about Hopper that didn't particularly show him in a great light. His wife Josephine Nivison Hopper posed for this painting although features of her face were changed - and she was a great artist in her own right. Cheers - Gary

Timothy Ray

Date: 5/19/2023 6:19:00 PM

i like this very much, the whole theme of studying a painting then extrapolating....as you have elsewhere...excellent job but a word of caution....you may start a movement where they blame you for all the loafer poets in the Louvre....

Gary Radice
Date: 5/20/2023 4:29:00 AM

I'm guessing Timothy if that such a movement starts up I will take up extrapolating poets' works and hope the artists start painting us. :) Just to balance things you understand. Thanks for the visit and your great comments as per usual. Cheers - Gary

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/4/2023 10:24:00 AM

Good one Gary, I did Hopper's Nighthawks you might like :)

Di11y Da11y
Date: 3/4/2023 12:33:00 PM

I think I may try this one myself at some point. I like your point there is no evidence of an automat... There's something I can do with that thought I'm sure! I'll mull it over

Gary Radice
Date: 3/4/2023 12:31:00 PM

Hi D D. The weird thing about this painting is that there is no real evidence of there being an Automat - this painting fascinates me. I'd love to know what she's thinking / where she's been / where she is on her way to. I'll have a read of your ekphrasis tomorrow. Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier

Date: 12/21/2022 1:44:00 PM

Well penned ~ really reflects the mood ~

Gary Radice
Date: 12/22/2022 4:29:00 AM

Thanks Line. All the best. Cheers - Gary

Robert Gorelick

Date: 11/21/2022 3:53:00 PM

Caught the mood of the portrait with a real flare. Knight Hocks"" is my favorite of Hopper. Always enjoy your verse, Robert

Gary Radice
Date: 11/21/2022 11:18:00 PM

Thanks so much Robert. 'Night Hawks' is my favourite Hopper painting too. I wrote a poem about that particular work here at PS in March this year. In this 'Automat' poem I used the oxymoron "alone together" which I think best describes many of Hopper's works. Cheers - Gary

Ken Rone

Date: 11/21/2022 9:51:00 AM

Thank you Gary. I will research Hopper. The artwork marries into your verse perfectly. Best - Ken

Gary Radice
Date: 11/21/2022 12:03:00 PM

Hi Ken. Its great to hear my poem has helped spark an interest in Hopper for you. This is one of four poems about Hopper's paintings that I have written and published here at The Soup. Thanks so much for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Anselmo Boles

Date: 11/19/2022 11:32:00 AM

The clarity and acuteness of your interpretation of this painting is real intoxicating, it made me look deeper while mesmerized. Eight distinct lines breathed all the emotions evoked from this painting with your words. Great work Gary!...ab

Gary Radice
Date: 11/19/2022 2:09:00 PM

Thank you so much for your comments ab. I truly appreciate them. Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 11/16/2022 8:54:00 PM

Gary, yet another deeply appreciated foray into the world of Hopper, an artist who always allowed a narrative to unfold in the viewer's imagination. I love your line "refuge from the twenties' roar"(roaring 20's?) and especially "orbs of light reflect and touch the void of night" describing the reflection of lights on the window. I also enjoy how you focus on the curiosities within the scene such as the gloveless hand and the bowl of fruit on the windowsill (in an automat?) My own curiosity is aroused by what appears to be a nighttime scene in a cold city (as indicated by the presence of a radiator) yet her legs are bare. He leaves room for a story to be imagined, and you capture that moment so well in your poetry. Well done, my friend. Cheers ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 11/17/2022 7:48:00 AM

Hi John! Yes, my 4th foray and, yes, you are correct: 'The Roaring Twenties'. :) I'm interested in the period Hopper painted this as it was just two years before the longest and deepest downturn in the history of the United States. The years before the Great Depression were a period of great social and economic growth (The decade known as the said Roaring Twenties) and she looks 'well to do'. Perhaps the subject just wanted a time out from the parties or her busy work schedule? I wonder if the 'still life' bowl of fruit is there to reflect the 'stillness'of the atmosphere? I don't know of course but I like guessing and second guessing with Hopper. You are correct; each picture he paints provides a scene from some bigger story that the viewer is never party to. Thanks again John for your insightful comments and lovely compliments. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 10/24/2022 12:42:00 PM

Oh the flow the flow Gary Lar Rhyme but certainly not easy predictable stereotypical or cliched in any way shape or form nor wasted or unwarranted word. Love your work to me it's pure poetic expression Hopefully your a Blue

Christopher Flaherty
Date: 10/24/2022 2:51:00 PM

Yes indeed Gary Sir Poetry is all the colors of the rainbow and so much more

Gary Radice
Date: 10/24/2022 2:32:00 PM

I'm actually a red Christopher but what's football when it comes to poetry? :) Thanks for your visit. I'll take a trip to your pages over the next few days. Cheers - Gary

Bryan Norton

Date: 10/20/2022 6:41:00 PM

A very Hopper poem is what I like the best! After reading, I thought about the drama "The Fugitive-Landscape with Running Figures-Parts 1 and 2" 1965 Season Three Vol.1 Disc 3 if you are interested.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/21/2022 1:43:00 AM

That's another cult series I need to return to. I'm currently Irwen Allen -ing through Time Tunnel, Land of Giants and Voyage to the Bottom Of the Sea at present. Thanks for the visit and great comments. Cheers - Gary

Laura Leiser

Date: 10/17/2022 7:32:00 AM

Love this creative, poetic interpretation of the painting here, Gary! It flows so effortlessly with perfect rhyme! A fave! :)

Gary Radice
Date: 10/17/2022 12:48:00 PM

Thank you Laura. Apparently there is a documentary about Hopper opening in cinemas here in the UK this week. I've just read about it but it doesn't exactly paint a great picture about Hopper the person by all accounts. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

Date: 10/16/2022 3:51:00 PM

Hello Gary, I am much a fan of Hopper's paintings, many of which convey alienation + loneliness in urban society. The automat or diner at night is a solitary refuge. Your fine poem captures the contemplative moments of the sitter "trapped in her thoughts without a door." Excellent phrasing, superb posting. Be well. Brian

Gary Radice
Date: 10/17/2022 2:04:00 AM

Thank you Brian. My wife and I were fortunate enough to view a Hopper exhibition at the London Tate many moons ago and were captivated. I've loved his work ever since. Much appreciated and Cheers - Gary

Juliet Ligon

Date: 10/15/2022 5:20:00 PM

Great interpretation of Hopper's 'Automat.' I love your line "trapped in her thoughts without a door."

Gary Radice
Date: 10/16/2022 3:03:00 AM

Thank you Juliet. I'm never sure with Hopper as to whether he uses symbolism or not. I'm just dying to know what she's thinking and what her story is. Guess I'll never know. :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 10/14/2022 3:00:00 PM

Your beautiful poem tells the story of that sad lady. I think Hopper would be very pleased. I guess automats just disappeared with time...

Gary Radice
Date: 10/15/2022 4:06:00 AM

Hi Ann! I believe there was one in New York until the 1990s. I ate in a couple in The Netherlands (at railway stations) during the '80s but I don't remember UK ever having one during my lifetime. If we did I've never been in one here. The white of the table and crockery and the white of her face against the black of night drew me into this picture. I wonder if that radiator is on and is she cold? Is she alive? :) Questions, questions. I love Hopper's (possible) stories behind his subjects. Cheers - Gary

Michael Tor

Date: 10/12/2022 4:38:00 PM

Lovely Poetry Gary your theme reflects the painting...

Gary Radice
Date: 10/13/2022 12:38:00 AM

Thank you Michael - that was my aim so I appreciate your comments. As a side, I believe Hopper's wife (Josephine Nivison Hopper) posed for this painting although features of her face were changed by Hopper. Cheers - Gary

Speaks Volumes

Date: 10/12/2022 2:59:00 PM

Hi Gary, I like your descriptions of his paintings better than his paintings. I have always found them somber and rigid as he implies no movement. Your poem on the other hand moves along nicely. Best wishes, Wendy.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/13/2022 12:34:00 AM

Hi Wendy. I know what you mean about his paintings being 'rigid'. They are almost like photographs but I like to try and piece together the stories behind the snapshots. Where has the lady been? Where is she going? I suspect the gloveless hand is simply because it's easier to hold a cup with. That sort of thing..Thanks so much for the compliments. Cheers - Gary

Ilene Bauer

Date: 10/12/2022 12:31:00 PM

i love hopper's paintings and you've done a wonderful job of describing this one, gary!

Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2022 12:47:00 PM

Thank you ilene. This is the 4th poem about Hopper that I've written here at PS. :) The bowl of fruit had me scratching my head. What's that doing in a 1920s' vending machine restaurant? I settled for the idea of 'still life' - a still air - a theme Hopper often revisits in his paintings. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/12/2022 10:17:00 AM

I like the snapshot, the poetic lines describing the scene. Congratulations on it being on the winners' list. Way to go. Sara

Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2022 10:28:00 AM

Hi Sara. Thanks so much. Just read your blog update. I'll comment on it tomorrow. Take care. Cheers - Gary

Vickey Rhymer

Date: 10/12/2022 10:09:00 AM

Orbs of light reflect and touch the void of night ...you captured the atmosphere without and within. Enjoyed Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2022 10:32:00 AM

Hi Vickey. Thank you for the visit, read and comments.Much appreciated. I think Hopper's paintings have an atmosphere all of their own so I tried to capture at least a smidgen of it. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/12/2022 9:47:00 AM

Congratulations on your win Gary. You have reached deeply into this painting and extracted poignant emotions of both the painter and the subject. There is such a contrast between the darkness of the scene and the light tones that paint the emotions of the woman in the 20's - the gloveless hand. Hope you are feeling better. Cheers! So glad you entered this poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2022 10:38:00 AM

Hi Sam. Still feeling a little 'off' but hopefully I'll be much better tomorrow. I love Hopper's paintings - there's an 'other worldly strangeness' about them. Snapshots of Americana that always leave me wondering what the full story behind the subject is. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/12/2022 8:54:00 AM

Love your interpretation of the picture Gary, an artist I'm not familiar with. Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/12/2022 9:49:00 PM

I've got mine this Saturday, my wife has had hers and didn't have a reaction but my daughter felt rough for days after.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/12/2022 9:41:00 AM

Hi Tom. Had my covid booster and flu jab yesterday and feeling a bit under the weather today. I had to force myself to publish the poem today and enter it into Brian's contest - but glad I did. Your comments have really helped brighten me up. Cheers - Gary.