In 1923, Edward Hopper’s watercolor painting “The Mansard Roof” was created during a time when he was not yet well-known. Interestingly, Hopper and his wife Josephine met while studying at the NY School of Art together as students and painters. Though this painting isn’t characteristic of his signature style, it is an excellent example of his early work.
“The Mansard Roof” became Hopper’s first sale to a public institution that same year in which it was painted- it was bought by the Brooklyn Museum which signaled a shift in terms of recognition and popularity for the artist.
While oil paintings are what Hopper is most renowned for, he was also skilled in other mediums such as printmaking and etching aside from being a proficient watercolorist too. The title subject matter of “The Mansard Roof” painting had been based on what could be seen through the back door of Edward Hopper’s Truro studio space which overlooked the ocean.