Edward Hopper captures a nostalgic, yet tense quality in his paintings through his representations of light. In his most famous painting, Nighthawks, Hopper uses artificial light in a diner’s interior to create an inviting glow, which contrasts with a dark, deserted street. In another famous work, House by the Railroad, he creates a harsh contrast between the bright natural light on one side of a farmhouse and deep shadows on the front of the building. Hopper is considered one of the most important artists in American history and focused on a version of America that was rapidly disappearing.