Josephine Nivison Hopper: EDWARD'S MUSE
October 23, 2021 - March 20, 2022
Curated by Elizabeth Thompson Colleary
Curated by Elizabeth Thompson Colleary
This exhibition featured a selection of watercolors by Josephine (Jo) Nivison Hopper (1883-1968) and follows a show we presented in 2014 (also curated by Colleary) titled, Grace de Coeur: Watercolors by Josephine Nivison Hopper. The earlier presentation offered an overview of Jo Hopper’s work, while this exhibition focuses on the role Jo Hopper played in helping to shape Edward Hopper’s (1882-1967) artistic vision.
Josephine (Jo) Nivison Hopper was an established and respected artist in New York City prior to her marriage to Edward Hopper in 1924, a childless union that would endure for 43 years. Her paintings, primarily watercolors, were shown in prestigious exhibitions with the most admired European and American Modernists of the day.
The watercolors included in the current exhibition represent a small portion of the work by Jo Nivison Hopper that has come to light in recent years, thanks to the efforts of Hopper family friend, Reverend Arthayer R. Sanborn, who was the pastor of the local Baptist church. After Edward’s passing in 1967, Jo gave Rev. Sanborn several folios of her watercolors, along with journals and record books, for safekeeping and in gratitude for his friendship. While her newly discovered work is worthy of recognition in its own right, it also illuminates and expands our understanding of the Hoppers’ two-artist marriage and the crucial role that Jo played in the creation of much of Edward Hopper’s art. Indeed, with a body of Jo’s work now available for study we have the opportunity to tell the Hoppers' decades-long story of "painting together" – and in so doing, the importance of Jo’s role as Edward Hopper’s painting companion, model, and muse can finally be recognized and celebrated.
The Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center has an obligation to bring depth and understanding to the work of Edward Hopper. With this important exhibition we are able to do just that, while giving Josephine Nivison Hopper her rightful place as an artist of note whose legacy will now endure.
Josephine Nivison Hopper: Edward’s Muse is made possible with generous support from Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist, Elisabeth Voigt, and Victoria Hertz & Rod Greenwood.
Josephine (Jo) Nivison Hopper was an established and respected artist in New York City prior to her marriage to Edward Hopper in 1924, a childless union that would endure for 43 years. Her paintings, primarily watercolors, were shown in prestigious exhibitions with the most admired European and American Modernists of the day.
The watercolors included in the current exhibition represent a small portion of the work by Jo Nivison Hopper that has come to light in recent years, thanks to the efforts of Hopper family friend, Reverend Arthayer R. Sanborn, who was the pastor of the local Baptist church. After Edward’s passing in 1967, Jo gave Rev. Sanborn several folios of her watercolors, along with journals and record books, for safekeeping and in gratitude for his friendship. While her newly discovered work is worthy of recognition in its own right, it also illuminates and expands our understanding of the Hoppers’ two-artist marriage and the crucial role that Jo played in the creation of much of Edward Hopper’s art. Indeed, with a body of Jo’s work now available for study we have the opportunity to tell the Hoppers' decades-long story of "painting together" – and in so doing, the importance of Jo’s role as Edward Hopper’s painting companion, model, and muse can finally be recognized and celebrated.
The Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center has an obligation to bring depth and understanding to the work of Edward Hopper. With this important exhibition we are able to do just that, while giving Josephine Nivison Hopper her rightful place as an artist of note whose legacy will now endure.
Josephine Nivison Hopper: Edward’s Muse is made possible with generous support from Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist, Elisabeth Voigt, and Victoria Hertz & Rod Greenwood.
A catalogue WAS PUBLISHED FOR THIS EXHIBITION (NOW SOLD OUT):
IMAGES
Images may be downloaded, reproduced, and published by members of the press for the sole purpose of creating or supporting timely news stories related to the Edward Hopper House and its exhibitions, programs, and events. Use of the press images for any other purpose requires the additional prior permission of the Edward Hopper House and may also require the additional prior permission of third-party rights holders. Obtaining these permissions is the sole responsibility of the press user. Press images may not be downloaded, reproduced, or published by commercial stock houses or archives under any circumstances. Press images must be reproduced in their entirety, and must include the identifying information provided by the Edward Hopper House, collection information, credit lines, and copyright. Images may not be cropped, detailed, overprinted, or altered without prior approval.
For HIGHER-RES images, please contact [email protected]. Credit for all images: Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, The Sanborn Josephine Nivison Hopper Collection
