tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post5035288125151057968..comments2023-08-14T11:44:27.299-04:00Comments on Jeremiah's<br> Vanishing New York: Finding Nighthawks, Part 3Jeremiah Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-32796640685732116152018-06-11T12:56:44.994-04:002018-06-11T12:56:44.994-04:00Really enjoyed reading your search for Hopper'...Really enjoyed reading your search for Hopper's Nighthawks cafe. I have two further plots of land for you to consider, should you so wish. I've always suspected Village Cigars at 110 Seventh Avenue South as a likely candidate - though I have no historical references to check the plots use as a cafe. I was able to find its (supposed) construction date as 1905 and a listing as a K1 class One Storey Store Building. Village Cigars has occupied the plot since at least 1922. It also has a small piece of history sitting on its doorstep in the form of the Hess Triangle (also laid in 1922), the smallest plot in New York City. It came about after Seventh Avenue was extended South in 1913 and David Hess' Vorhes (aka Voorhis) apartments, along with many other buildings in the path of the planned avenue, were destroyed to make way for construction. Hess refused to donate to public use the small triangle of land he was left with and instead laid a tiled message of defiance. The other candidate might be the triangular plot of the Riviera Cafe at 225 West 4th Street, which was also formed during the creation of Seventh Avenue South. The Riviera Cafe has occupied the plot since around 1969. I believe Hopper moved to his Greenwich Village studio in 1913 at the age of 31, the same year much of the demolition and new construction was underway. It was fairly major news at the time with much public outcry that the heart of Greenwich Village was being ripped apart - certainly an event that Hopper would have remembered or be moved to create art in response to. Construction of Seventh Avenue South was completed by 1916, possibly earlier. Perhaps these plots were home to any number of temporary businesses between 1916 and 1942 - with maybe one or parts of both of them becoming the cafe that inspired Nighthawks.The EAP Partnershiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16713925172364736063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-49582477025906396982015-06-16T15:08:08.525-04:002015-06-16T15:08:08.525-04:00this is the link to image of the diner in the arti...this is the link to image of the diner in the article in nyc lib http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47dc-eb95-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99Eran Bendheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12316444904023071270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-73796740676068182412014-05-18T18:48:40.967-04:002014-05-18T18:48:40.967-04:00First off, I find it overly coincidental that a re...First off, I find it overly coincidental that a restaurant with the near exact shape of Nighthawks popping up in the 1950s. I don't believe in coincidences like that. <br /><br />One suggestion: the 1940 census. That will give you a list of families that were living in the area. Surely there are photos and memories of that time period, but you have to work fast because anyone old enough to remember that time period is getting old quickly.<br /><br />I don't know Gail Levin and I haven't read her book, nor any of her books. One thing I know for certain though is that dates for things like this are never exact. Few artists or even writers, wake up saying, "Today, I'm going to start a painting [or writing] and it's going to be exactly like this!" <br /><br />That's a preposterous notion. He may have thought, 'You know, a corner might be nice' or a restaurant, or a night scene or a city scene or whatever. It doesn't mean that he picked out that restaurant that month in that year. Maybe he thought of how green would be a good color, for all we know. The point is what is the definition of "started" it and what documentation is there that he actually did?<br /><br />I think you nailed it on his seeing it built and thinking about it. Magnolia Southhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05027695915193365483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-68643749249484853742012-07-21T14:28:45.477-04:002012-07-21T14:28:45.477-04:00is possible that hopper made various sketches. the...is possible that hopper made various sketches. these were done in different locations & used as reference. then he put it all together & did the painting. not everything is literal. but the last comment is worth looking into.lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-10018068769233594482012-07-21T02:40:32.561-04:002012-07-21T02:40:32.561-04:00If you ever wish to return to your journey.. there...If you ever wish to return to your journey.. there may be one last spot for you to check.<br /><br />Have you ever looked at the opposite corner of the block you last checked, of Perry & 7th? I was walking by the restaurant Wogie's recently, and had a vision epiphany... I googled to see if Wogie's was the original site of Nighthawks. Could only find this picture that might help:<br /> http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyKy_-yNKpQ/TskmUMyc4MI/AAAAAAAAHeQ/tmsvBkMz6ik/s1600/wogies.jpgSergiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703658871790253527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-478999553255833412011-11-23T01:22:59.737-05:002011-11-23T01:22:59.737-05:00the coffee shop does exist. it always has. everyw...the coffee shop does exist. it always has. everywhere. so in actuality, finding out that it literally didn't exit, as in the haunting painting does not matter to me.Eduardo C. Gallegos M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03740714395277757353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-37462306529580572782011-03-05T16:37:06.504-05:002011-03-05T16:37:06.504-05:00Anonymous said...
The burger joint with castle wal...Anonymous said...<br />The burger joint with castle walls is a vintage White Castle...<br /><br />Nope, it's a competitor "White Tower" burgers that spent plenty of time suing & counter-suing WC;<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Tower_HamburgersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-62291726225025211492010-10-09T03:16:58.323-04:002010-10-09T03:16:58.323-04:00Wow. I only read Pt. 3. Have you considered inte...Wow. I only read Pt. 3. Have you considered interviewing an elder local even if they are not local anymore?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-45008305687378473992010-08-01T16:10:40.313-04:002010-08-01T16:10:40.313-04:00thank you Meta, interesting to see it in Italy.thank you Meta, interesting to see it in Italy.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-75658877608664723032010-07-30T14:05:15.741-04:002010-07-30T14:05:15.741-04:00sorry for my english.
the bar of hopper was realit...sorry for my english.<br />the bar of hopper was reality in a italian film of the 1975: profondo rosso (deep red). dario argento was inspired by the hope's paint, and realizated it for the film, the "blue bar", in torino. the location is a place without a bar, "piazzetta CLN".<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM8JpKLmi3U<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMk3XUUNNJ8<br />http://www.zontar.it/tag/argento/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-33345906588283942412010-07-20T06:32:58.163-04:002010-07-20T06:32:58.163-04:00great post! i got to your blog after i wrote about...great post! i got to your blog after i wrote about Hopper (a comment on it pointed to your NY times article).<br /><br />i was hoping that this quintessential diner really existed...<br /><br />http://micheleroohani.com/blog/2010/07/10/meeting-edward-hopper-the-quiet-american-in-lausanne/Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15984159411267453752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-67582977701757053762010-07-07T19:49:26.035-04:002010-07-07T19:49:26.035-04:00How great was your quest to find the location of t...How great was your quest to find the location of this painting. Love old NYC and always look around which tends to tag me as a tourist...Art Triphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01551751489117593214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-3035520210861185952010-07-06T19:12:45.844-04:002010-07-06T19:12:45.844-04:00honestly, it was one of my least favorite Hoppers,...honestly, it was one of my least favorite Hoppers, too, until this research. for the same reason you mention, Anon, the kitsch, the way people clamor around it in the museum, ignoring other pieces. i liked it as a kid, then it got tainted. but now it feels new to me, and i'm fond of it again.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-12307196791326184262010-07-06T15:13:25.443-04:002010-07-06T15:13:25.443-04:00Interesting. I never thought this looked like New ...Interesting. I never thought this looked like New York. Never even occurred to me until I read your NYT piece. Too much empty space. And too clean. Now I will see it differently.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12626746012590027039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-71687037367109829622010-07-06T14:38:01.839-04:002010-07-06T14:38:01.839-04:00Perhaps the "composite" was the interior...Perhaps the "composite" was the interior layout of a diner with the exterior of a building that was never a diner and perhaps not even a one-story building--just large plate glass windows. I would also agree with the comment that the building does not appear prow-shaped, but rather a 90-degree building with a curved corner. The exterior setting if it is based upon a location would not have to be a T-intesection, but could be a 4-way—the building on the left across the street, could very well be a corner building.Rudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233574549752834781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-36985009532194297782010-07-06T14:12:47.492-04:002010-07-06T14:12:47.492-04:00Being a Hopper fan, I was drawn to your article in...Being a Hopper fan, I was drawn to your article in the NY Times and really enjoyed your wonderful article. Especially the last couple of lines - so beautifully put!Needful Thingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16619367713876353115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-66599932986201320992010-07-05T20:02:32.503-04:002010-07-05T20:02:32.503-04:00Thanks, for increasing my appreciation of "Ni...Thanks, for increasing my appreciation of "Nighthawks." Owing to the ubiquitous prints of James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis as those populating the tableau, which I have always thought of as Hollywood kitsch, it has always been one of my least favorite Hoppers, and one of which I was dismissive. However, thanks to your article in the "New York Times", I look at it anew. Although, it was an ethereal creation, it now seems more real to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-16673869630133037632010-07-05T19:59:18.800-04:002010-07-05T19:59:18.800-04:00thanks for the tips. the sheets painting does look...thanks for the tips. the sheets painting does look familiar!<br /><br />ted, i wish i got paid for this "job." it's more a labor of love than anything else.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-63457665049240687752010-07-05T18:20:56.587-04:002010-07-05T18:20:56.587-04:00Firstly, I do love how the 3 old buildings behind ...Firstly, I do love how the 3 old buildings behind the garage in the '33 & today photos are still there!<br /><br />I discovered Hopper in '79, in a remainders bin in a Marboro book store (former Automat I think) on w 57th. This was before I really became a museum-goer. I just thought 'this guy paints the way I would if I could paint.'<br /><br />So I've been a Hopper fan.<br /><br />At the Whitney (where else) a few years ago they had a small exhibit with only a few pieces, but a lot of study sketches, esp for the one w/the usherette in the theater... The display showed how obsessive this artist was about his main business, that of making images. It also quoted him, as I recall, about going to many different theaters and sketching detail after detail. Also, of course, poses and gestures of people, and composition possibilities. <br /><br />I almost felt silly, as if I never considered the WORK a serious image producer would put into a commitment like a major painting! Of course, I knew but I didn't realize.<br /><br />Gail Levin has a little book I have around here somewhere called 'Hoppers Places' where she photographed the sites of paintings that she could find. Few, if any, from the city, I think.<br /><br />What's impressive, of course, is how Hopper transformed even the places that WERE real. You should dig book that up if you can. <br /><br />I guess you now know you should have looked for more words before searching for the pictures! But it was fun.<br /><br />Bronx raised & summers in the bungalow colonies, I absorbed some love for the old, the peeling, the rusting. The texture, which is how I feel Hopper.<br /><br />Loved your article though. I love old maps & city photos. I wish I had YOUR job! So thanks.<br /><br />Ted - Forest Hillslectrictichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580096766041574795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-30326056304548720092010-07-05T16:27:18.923-04:002010-07-05T16:27:18.923-04:00The missing diner: I missed a diner, too, when wal...The missing diner: I missed a diner, too, when walking recently along the High Line wanting to eat lunch at the diner in my photo taken some months previously. It was no longer there! Vanishing New York? How about vanishing London? Coin Street Chronicles describes London's Vanished Old South Bank Area and its way of life -by an 80 year old lady, Gwen Southgate -amazing memoir.Helen Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-84159947842405057102010-07-05T16:19:46.975-04:002010-07-05T16:19:46.975-04:00Just for fun. Nighthawks obsession is everywhere!
...Just for fun. Nighthawks obsession is everywhere!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=MFz18zAjpGoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-91310974383268035282010-07-05T16:16:19.438-04:002010-07-05T16:16:19.438-04:00You may want to add another influence: Millard She...You may want to add another influence: Millard Sheets' "Beer for Prosperity" which bears an astonishing resemblance to "Nighthawks." Sheets painted it 9 years earlier than "Nighthawks". You can see it on the February 19th post of my blog www.artsandeatsalongthemetrogoldline.blogspot.comArt and Eats Along the Metro Gold Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08724138244314613056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-91352479068094657112010-07-05T14:34:50.111-04:002010-07-05T14:34:50.111-04:00not sure about philadelphia, but all the clues, fr...not sure about philadelphia, but all the clues, from the artist and from people who knew the artist, say it was on Greenwich Ave in NYC. it's possible he took inspiration from another city, a memory, maybe even a dream.<br /><br />who can know?<br /><br />barry, i can't get your link to come through.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-76539281141214382062010-07-05T14:22:21.366-04:002010-07-05T14:22:21.366-04:00Your article evokes such memories. After briefly l...Your article evokes such memories. After briefly living and working in New York City during the summer of 1976, I returned to my hometown and found a job and an apartment in Center City Philadelphia. Center City is, of course, smaller and more intimate than Manhattan; in most respects, infinitely more charming and likely to catch an artist's eye. I had been a student of 19thc and 20thc art at Harvard and had become a fan of Hopper's and Homer's, but when I began to frequent the Rittenhouse Square district, I realized that the Dewey's, for decades a fixture across from the Warwick Hotel and one block east of the Square, could just as readily have been Hopper's model for "Nighthawks" as anything in Manhattan--if, that is, he substituted the streetscape of "Sunday Morning" as its background, one far more typical of Philly than New York with its red brick. Maybe the "Phillies" sign was more than an afterthought and actually a clue to the diner's existence, I wondered. Of course I didn't research the question as you have. But since the late 1940s we in Philadelphia have become increasingly aware of the historical significance of our magnificent architecture and I am happy to report that the diner in question, while alas no longer a "Dewey's" (gone the way of Horn and Hardart) is still a diner! (And by the way, the Phillies, unlike the Dodgers or Giants and like the cigars, are still the Phillies.) Come have a look at the 200 block of South 17th Street, Jeremiah. Did Hopper visit Philadelphia before "Nighthawks"?Dick Bloomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-45492135960589859232010-07-05T14:15:43.116-04:002010-07-05T14:15:43.116-04:00i did my new york time a long time ago - lived for...i did my new york time a long time ago - lived for a while on bond street and brooklyn and nj - and still look back with love from oklahoma city where i originated which of course suffers the same plight as you talk about there<br />i loved the time's piece and did the facebook thing and now want to update a blog thing i did on nighthawks back then - here's the reference if you caare to glance: http://littlebluenews.blogspot.com/2009/09/Saturday-yesterday-began-for-me-as-it.html - i hope to do a redux on nighthawks soon<br />barry benefieldbarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13109077667455785329noreply@blogger.com