'Edward Hopper and Marshall's House' by Bob Burnett

Edward Hopper and Marshall's House from Bob Burnett on Vimeo.

This morning, the first public unveiling of my friend Bob Burnett's new short film, "Edward Hopper & Marshall's House." Bob undertook this as a personal project after encountering the subject of one of Edward Hopper's most famous watercolors several years ago, an experience he wrote about on TOP.

"From 1930 until 1967, Edward and Josephine Hopper spent summer seasons in South Truro, Massachusetts, painting the local landscape and taking advantage of the unique Cape Cod light. The neighbors, the Marshall family, have owned their home since 1913—spanning five generations. It still looks remarkably similar to when Edward Hopper painted it more than 80 years ago. This film presents how the concept of family and an artist’s work can reach beyond the confines of a period in time."

Directed and filmed by Bob, edited by Jay Salbert, with sound design by Alan F. Jones. The photographs used, in addition to some Hopper family snapshot images that are part of the Whitney Museum collection, include portraits by Hans Namuth and Arnold Newman, and a Corbis Historical portrait by Oscar White.

In addition to being an independent filmmaker, Bob creates documentary and media productions for a wide range of foundations and public policy organizations. For example, a few years ago he created the videos that introduced the MacArthur Fellows to the world. He has received more than 150 film festival and industry awards for his work. His previous film, "The Art of Richard Thompson," was screened at film festivals worldwide.

"Edward Hopper & Marshall's House" reminded me of my beloved childhood art teacher, Gerald Landt, who loved Hopper's work, and it put me in mind of the similarities between Hopper and Winslow Homer, from an earlier generation, and Andrew Wyeth, from a later one, engaging deeply with the spirit of a particular place, its land, and its light. I found Bob's new film enjoyable and moving and I hope you enjoy it too! Big thanks to Bob for picking TOP's audience—you—for today's reveal.

Mike

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

James McKearney: "Big thanks to Bob Burnett for this beautiful film and to TOP for making it available here. I am very pleased that Marshall's House still retains the peaceful and pleasant look it had when Hopper painted it. Seeing some of the inside of the house is a great bonus. In the second edition of her book entitled Hopper's Places, Gail Levin presents some present-day photos of the places that Hopper painted on Cape Cod and many other locations. Years ago while driving on back roads in Truro and Wellfleet on the Cape, I had the feeling that I saw what appeared to be the site where Hopper painted 'The Forked Road' (1934). After some research using old railroad maps of the area, I was convinced that I was correct. Seeing some of the places that Hopper painted is always rewarding, especially so to discover another on one's own."

Adam Carlberg: "It amazes me how I can sit through a two-hour feature film and not be half as entertained or enlightened as I was when watching this seven-and-a-half minute gem. Well done, Mr. Burnett."

Dennis Whitehead: "Well done Bob! As someone posted, you've packed a big beautiful story into a perfectly crafted small space. Great work!"

Paul Richardson: "I was in Truro last summer, on vacation, and decided to look for Marshall's House, thinking it would be simple to find. It wasn't. I used Google maps, and kept getting wrong directions and driving in circles, and so I went to the public library, figuring that getting directions there would be a snap, as they'd probably dealt with this request a thousand times. Well, again I was wrong. Nobody there seemed to know what I was talking about, and while they tried to be helpful, I didn't get anywhere. I finally found the right road (I think) but still couldn't find the house. Finally I simply gave up. But this summer, I'm going to try again. I'm more determined than ever after this post. I know it's there somewhere."

Comments

[Ken Tanaka]

A wonderful short film on one of America’s most iconic, and one of my personal favorite, artists. Yes indeed this painting of the Marshall House is a slice out of Hopper’s prime period.

Applause, applause Bob!

[Bahi]

Love watching this—thank you, Bob and Mike. Hopper's studies in urban solitude and anonymity appeal to me, as they do to many photographers, but this is a much needed reminder me of Hopper's other side. There's much to think admire and think about.

[Dennis Mook]

Lovely, lovely film. Thank you so much.

[mark]

Just curious. Who "took" the photo that appears at the
4:10 mark in the video?

Congratulations to Mr. Burnett and a big thank you to him
and to T.O.P. for the opportunity to view this work. For me
one of the most telling lines in the video, and I'm paraphrasing, after putting paint on canvas, Hopper felt that "What he was able to achieve was so much less than what he could see". How many of us have felt that way in the world of photography and the visual
arts, results never meeting expectations, point of view never matching our emotional response to the scene.

[That's called "Edward Hopper and Jo" by Arnold Newman, 1960, according to the ICP. —Mike]

[David Miller]

This work is just so right in so many ways — a gem!

Thinking that the video was essentially finished, I sat through the credits as I do for every film, out of respect for the creators … and up popped the portraits of the people whose voices overlay the visuals. What a brilliant set of photographic portraits — I would love to spend an afternoon in the company of any one of those wonderfully attractive individuals.

Bravo and thank you, Bob Burnett!

[Lynn]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful little film!

[Michael Perini]

Just Wonderful, Thank's to you & to Mr Burnett.
I so loved Hopper's sentiment that 'what you get is always less than you saw'
Anyone who has tried to capture the light in places where Land and sea and sky meet, knows that to be true.

Thanks again

[Ned Bunnell]

What a wonderful video. It was really kind of Mr. Burnett to let you preview it here Mike.

[Mike]

Wow, we are a lucky bunch to have gotten first crack at this. Hopper is such an inspiration to all artists, and especially photographers. Well done, bravo, thank you Mr. Burnett.

[David Raboin]

Thank you,that was great. In just seven minutes your video says so much about art, living, and a sense of home. The photography/cinematography is gorgeous too,as evocative as Hopper's painting.

[mike plews]

Very nice work. It was a joy to watch.

[Cheri Austin]

A favorite American artist of mine also - thank you, Bob, for saving the history of this house and the wonder of Hopper’s work for all!