An Analysis of Modern Furniture Design in Edward Hopper's Paintings

Abstract

The present paper investigates the trends in modern furniture design in the 20th century by using the realistic paintings of Edward Hopper to provide direct visual documentation of period interiors and furniture. While a considerable number of academic studies have been conducted on modern furniture design, these are limited to iconic and more prominent furniture pieces. However, the artworks that visually documented the socio-cultural conditions and design trends of the period have not been subject to academic study. Therefore, the given study is important in systematically analyzing the influence of modernism on furniture designed for daily use and in understanding modern furniture design elements. It is in this context that the study attempts to analyze the influence of modernism on furniture design by comprehensively analyzing interior-themed paintings by Hopper, a leading figure of the realism movement. Content analysis, a qualitative research approach, has been selected for the analysis of modern furniture design elements. Interior paintings by Edward Hopper were selected as the sample for the analysis of the reflection of modernism on furniture design. The study showed that functionality, clarity of structure, and clean surfaces bereft of ornamentation were the most common features occurring in modern furniture design. These findings represent a better understanding of the socio-cultural and economic contexts which framed modern furniture design.