Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks comes to life

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper’s 1942 painting of a late-night scene at a diner, is one of the masterpieces of American art and an iconic image of New York City life. But people often wonder, Where, exactly, was the eatery depicted in the canvas? What part of town? According to Whitney curator Carter E. Foster, the place never really existed, but he thinks Hopper may have inspired by the glassy storefront “prow” of the Flatiron Building, using it as the setting for his composition. In any case, as part of its current “Hopper Drawing” exhibition, the Whitney created this life-size version of the painting at the Flatiron Building to prove Foster’s point. We’re convinced, how about you? If you want see to the installation in the flesh, head over any time to the Flatiron Building at 175 Fifth Avenue at Broadway (near 22nd Street), and have a look. It’s up until Oct 6.