Gottfried Helnwein's Nighthawks: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Nighthawks: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

• The painting is a copy of a famous painting by Edward Hopper, but with four famous American stars from the 20th century.
• The scene is set late at night in a diner in the USA during the 1950s.

Characters in the Painting

• The barman is Elvis Presley, known as 'the king of rock 'n' roll'.
• The man on the left is the actor James Dean.
• The woman is the film star Marilyn Monroe.
• The man in the blue suit is the actor Humphrey Bogart.

Humphrey Bogart's Life

• Born in New York on Christmas Day, 1899.
• At 18, he joined the navy and tried various jobs before becoming interested in theatre.
• Had small parts in Broadway shows for many years before joining Warner Film Studio at 40.
• Became a big star and the highest paid actor in the world, making over 30 films.
• Famous films include The African Queen and Casablanca.
• Died in his sleep at his home in Hollywood in 1957.
• Named the greatest male star in the history of American cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999.

Nighthawks: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

• The painting is a copy of a famous painting by Edward Hopper, but with four famous American stars from the 20th century.
• The scene is set late at night in a diner in the USA during the 1950s.

Characters in the Painting

• The barman is Elvis Presley, known as 'the king of rock 'n' roll'.
• The man on the left is the actor James Dean.
• The woman is the film star Marilyn Monroe.
• The man in the blue suit is the actor Humphrey Bogart.

Humphrey Bogart's Life

• Born in New York on Christmas Day, 1899.
• At 18, he joined the navy and tried various jobs before becoming interested in theatre.
• Had small parts in Broadway shows for many years before joining Warner Film Studio at 40.
• Became a big star and the highest paid actor in the world, making over 30 films.
• Famous films include The African Queen and Casablanca.
• Died in his sleep at his home in Hollywood in 1957.
• Named the greatest male star in the history of American cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999.

Nighthawks: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

• The painting is a copy of a famous painting by Edward Hopper, but with four famous American stars from the 20th century.
• The scene is set late at night in a diner in the USA during the 1950s.

Characters in the Painting

• The barman is Elvis Presley, known as 'the king of rock 'n' roll'.
• The man on the left is the actor James Dean.
• The woman is the film star Marilyn Monroe.
• The man in the blue suit is the actor Humphrey Bogart.

Humphrey Bogart's Life

• Born in New York on Christmas Day, 1899.
• At 18, he joined the navy and tried various jobs before becoming interested in theatre.
• Had small parts in Broadway shows for many years before joining Warner Film Studio at 40.
• Became a big star and the highest paid actor in the world, making over 30 films.
• Famous films include The African Queen and Casablanca.
• Died in his sleep at his home in Hollywood in 1957.
• Named the greatest male star in the history of American cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999.

Explore the iconic painting Nighthawks: Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Gottfried Helnwein, depicting a 1950s American diner scene, and test your knowledge of its symbolism and details.