Serenity in the Crude

I had gone to the Metropolitan Museum yesterday to try to take in the Alexander McQueen show (because I had flipped through the exhibition catalogue and noticed the lapels of his earliest work and was intrigued), but that was a massive two thumbs down because there was a three hour wait to get in (at least, into that part).  Instead, I walked around some of the many other areas of the museum and it was quite delightful.  The throngs of tourists and their city living companions were almost nowhere to be seen, and it was almost as if one had most of the galleries to oneself.

Among the works which I usually don't give more than a cursory look was this one by Edward Hopper, whose title I did not happen to write down but is from the early 1930s.  I remember that because the description of the work states that Hopper wanted to capture in this piece all the gaudiness and crass qualities of a modern and public restaurant.  Now, taking a look at this photo with the eyes of the contemporary, this scene has moved far away from that into the realm of the idyllic.  If this is how people were back then- note the man in the suit with cuffs showing (hat hanging), wood walls (probably not paneled), hand painted murals, woman with hat on, modestly (conservatively) dressed workers, small and unassuming but wonderful counter area, a lush display of fruits in the window and price list sign and most likely no music played whatsoever- one wonders if Hopper would sigh at the passing even of that "crude" era he depicted.

Table for two, please.