On September 13, the Amon Carter Museum will present “Edward Hopper in Four Acts,” a small exhibition that offers a rare opportunity to see five works in four media by one of America’s great artists. The installation will present the Carter’s recent acquisition “Home by the Railroad,” charcoal on paper, circa 1925-28, in addition to two prints, one painting and one watercolor.

Known for his paintings of empty streets, storefronts and solitary figures in urban settings, Edward Hopper (1882-1967) was also an accomplished draftsman, printmaker and watercolorist. This installation focuses on the motif of American vernacular architecture, one of his other great subjects. In addition to his “Home by the Railroad,” the exhibition features two prints from the museum’s permanent collection, “American Landscape,” 1920, and “The Lonely House,” 1923, as well as loans from private collections: “House by an Inlet,” oil on canvas, 1930, and “Roofs of the Cobb Barn,” watercolor on paper, 1931. All of these works demonstrate Hopper’s mastery of capturing light in four different media.

Edward Hopper (1882-1967), “Home by the Railroad,” circa 1925-28, charcoal on paper, recent acquisition.

“We are delighted to present this intensely focused look atHopper’s art,” said Rebecca Lawton, the Carter’s curator ofpaintings and sculpture. “By comparing his work across media, wecan clearly see his careful control of medium, skillful interplayof light and shadow, and unusual angles of vision that arebrilliantly evident in these works.”

Hopper created his drawings and almost all of his watercolors from direct observation. His oil paintings, however, were composed pictures, developed by imaginative reconstruction in which both observation and memory played a part. The houses and architecture depicted in Hopper’s works provided the structural element Hopper needed to experiment with light. Hopper himself once said: “You know, there are many thoughts, many impulses that go into a picture – not just one. Light is an important expressive force for me, but not too consciously so. I think it is a natural expression for me.”

“Edward Hopper in Four Acts” will be on view through December 11. On Thursday, October 20, Lawton will present a gallery talk, “Edward Hopper: Capturing Light,” from 12:15 to 12:45 pm. The talk will be at the museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard.

For information, 817-738-1933 or cartermuseum.org.