Bare, Bright & Orderly
Sir:
Thank you for the cover story on Edward Hopper [Dec. 24]. This is the comprehensive type of article on art that the people understand. Refreshing compared to some of the stuff appearing in the art publications.
A. F. GEGAN
Albany, Calif.
Sir:
Congratulations and thanks for the wisest and most inspired presentation of American art that has appeared anywhere during the last quarter of a century.
SAMUEL GOLDEN
President
American Artists Group, Inc. New York City
Sir:
I suppose I am a highly prejudiced observer (considering the generous way you quote me), but the Hopper story struck me as a dazzling performance, even for you, and those final paragraphs the finest I have ever read in TIME (or in art criticism, for that matter). You almost persuade me that Hopper is a painter and belongs to the ages.
SELDEN RODMAN
Mexico City
Sir:
That is an excellent piece on Edward Hopper, but I disagree that "the Hoppers go miles out of their way to get gas a fraction of a cent cheaper," as they buy some of it from me and not at cut-rate prices. Mrs. Hopper appreciates our clean rest rooms.
JIMMY DELORY
Orleans, Mass.
Sir:
Thanks for the excellent reproductions of a very fine selection of paintings.
JOHN REESE
San Marino, Calif.
Sir:
The clue to Hopper's paintings is found in the description of his studio—bare, bright, orderly, still heated by a coal stove—and in the man himself, a man of few words. His pictures are not a moment in time as are those of the impressionists but a moment out of time—pictures that seem to regret change.
ELIAS BLECHMAN
Goshen, N.Y.
Sir:
Since Edward Hopper came to the Huntington Hartford Foundation recently, I've had an opportunity to learn that this reticent fellow has a good sense of humor, and is not always silent. He broke his silence in facing himself on your cover. To quote him on your article—"damn."
CHARLES B. ROGERS
Assistant Director
Huntington Hartford Foundation
Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Second Generation
Sir:
TIME, Dec. 3, published a picture of the new Ford hardtop convertible. I would like to point out that in the middle '30s a French automobile manufacturer, Peugeot, put out a similar car, the "Peugeot 601."
JEAN BOSSON
Washington
High-Slung Motorist
Sir:
As your Dec. 17 issue states, the New York Coliseum had a fine, spectacular showing of new cars, all presented very attractively. Like several other visitors I spoke with, I found that none of them suited me. The reason is very simple: I cannot fit inside. My head touched the ceiling, and my legs would not fit under the steering wheel with enough room to operate the foot pedals. In some cases I was unable to see a safe distance through the contorted windshields. True enough, my 6 ft. 6 in. height is a contributing factor, but a comparatively short man of 6 ft. reported the same trouble. After seeing this show, Im wondering how many more years I'll have to drive my 1951 sedan.
HENRY H. PLOCH
Clifton, NJ.
The Cardinal & Baby Doll
Sir: