PARIS (AP) - A major Edward Hopper retrospective in Paris reveals that the 20th century painter known for his rendering of American life drew inspiration from France.

The show's curator Didier Ottinger told the Associated Press on Monday that Hopper was "a lifelong Francophile" who first visited Paris in 1906. That was just after an important exhibition of the influential Fauvism movement known for its strong used of color.

Didier said Hopper clearly took influence from participating artists like Henri Matisse, adding: "You can see it in his large, solid color masses."

The illuminating exhibit, which opens at the Grand Palais Wednesday, includes some 128 Hopper works - such as masterpieces "Nighthawks" and "Soir Bleu" - alongside 35 comparative works from other artists.