Modeling a vague painting

[R Reynolds]

Ever since this post I've kept the idea of modeling Phillies percolating in the background. I'm still collecting reference material so in the meantime I've decided to first add its setting to my own city street back lot. And for the facade across the street, I've decided to go all in with Hopper and use his Early Sunday Morning; see first image.

 

However Hopper's no Rockwell (to which many art critics say "THANK GOODNESS!" ) so there's a lot of missing detail for which I need to make educated guesses. Since this isn't for anybody's art history thesis, your guess is as good as mine, so I'm asking for all opinions. Just remember this is the middle of the last century. The second image is annotated with what I have so far with numbered mystery details.

 

The barbershop is obvious.

To its right, I`m saying it`s a bar since it has double doors to open at last call and one of them is still open on a Sunday morning.

To the left of the barbershop is an unknown store but their shared entry way has a door setup where each door is at 90 deg. to each other but at 45 deg. to the sidewalk.

The unknown store behind the fire hydrant has a display area in each window into which can be placed small items that can`t be left out over the weekend. Food? Pets?

Between the two unknown stores is an entryway with an inset door to the second floor. I thought it would be a nice detail to install a set of multiple mail slots/boxes in this inset.

Detail 1: There's a sign extending outward, advertising someone who works out of one of the second floor rooms. Doctor? Wouldn't he have his name on the window as well?

Detail 2: I numbered the details before starting writing but figured this out in the meantime. It's sunlight on the entry way wall with the shadow of the purple/blue awning.

Detail 3: What the heck is going on with these two windows!? They have no visible window frames or glass. Who would pull both window sashes out and then hang cheap drapes from makeshift rods at different heights?

Detail 4: I'm guessing the tan "awning" in either window is painted on the inside of the glass.

Detail 5: Most windows have the suggestion of details within but this looks too chaotic and dirty.

Detail 6: Similar to his neighbours, maybe the barber has a paint treatment at the top of the window but this shadow seems unaturally dark. What's the blue detail below my number 6? Perhaps all bluish details are chrome or mirrors within reflecting the ambient view. Anybody got a model of a vintage barber chair? What's the white object slightly to the right; something on the window (the barber seems to like posting things in his window) or is it hanging on the wall?

 

All suggestions are gratefully appreciated.

Thanks.

[Simon Edmondson]

Roger

 

Take these suggestions with s ton of salt but, here goes.

 

To me, it looks like 3 is similar to the windows either side of them but with different colour roller blinds (?) and Lace curtains ( drapes ). This might tally with the other non tan curtains third and fourth from left.

 

4 The Tan awning may appear to be flat because it is more square on to the picture plane or perhaps doesn't project out as far as the one to the left of it ?

 

5 It may be the case that the shop is empty awaiting redevelopment and the windows have been whitewashed. That certainly happens to shops here in the UK, don't know if it did in 40's NY ?

 

6. He may have put a poster in his window to advertise a coming show ( Barbershop Quartet perhaps ? )

 

Please ignore as appropriate.

regards

simon

[robcat2075]

1- I'd say a sign vs. painting on the window is an either/or choice. Perhaps an accountant or lawyer or dentist who needs an office but not a storefront

 

3- hard to figure out the real-world circumstances for that.

[largento]

Not too helpful, but there's some that say that the building he was painting was this one:

 

 

You can look at it, going to Google Map's street view and searching for: 231-235 Bleecker Street, New York City, NY

 

Looking at the building next to it, the pattern along the roof looks more like the painting:

 

 

I tried to enhance the painting, but it's clear the brushstrokes don't reveal much detail.