George Platt Lynes began his studies in photographic portraiture during the 1920s and opened a studio in 1933. An intense concern with formal composition and striking light effects characterizes his photographs.

Lynes took this photograph of Edward Hopper on February 21, 1950, at the artist's New York studio. He dramatically highlighted Hopper's hands. The hearth and wood stove balance the shope of Hopper's shoulders.

Courtesy of the Archives of American Art.