Paper, given at the Edward Hopper symposium in New York (27 Oct. 1980), studies Hopper's lifelong relationship to traditions of French painting transmitted to him by his teachers (William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri), by the influence of Sargent, and by his own direct exposure in Paris, 1906-1910. Analyzes three areas of Hopper's paintings: the lower layer of paint, together with the color of the canvas; the drawing under and into the paint; and the treatment of detail. -- AATA