Edward and Jo Hopper took the finished painting to the Rehn Gallery in New York City of Feb 22, 1940. John Clancy, Rehn's assistant, suggested titling the work Cordially Yours; Room 1506. Edward proposed Time and a Half for Over Time, Etc. They settled finally on Office at Night [from Gail Levin Edward Hopper: An Intimate Biography (New York: Knopf, 1995) ]

Jo Nivison Hopper's diary entries offer intriguing insight into Hopper's methods: January 27, 1940 "He has a black and white drawing of a man at a desk in an office and a girl to the left side of room and an effect of lighting." February 1, 1940 "E. has his new picture drawn in charcoal. He is doing things with no end of preparation-- had two highly finished crayon sketches. Seems to seek delays for beginning a canvas. It's a business office with older man at his desk & a secretary, female, fishing in a filing cabinet. I'm to pose for the same tonight in a tight skirt--short to show legs. Nice that I have good legs and up & coming stockings." February 19, 1940 "The days are longer now and we both work until it is almost pitch dark. Each day I don't see how E can add another stroke to his-- and each day he goes right on and this picture becomes more palpable-- not fussy...reduced to essentials...so realized. There is a typewriter that could almost be stolen and carried away--and the room is a room."