American GothicGrant Wood was a well-known painter and printmaker during the late 1930's into the early 1940's. He was most known for his images and paintings of the rural Midwest. Wood assisted with Thomas Hart Benton and John Steuart Curry, and founded and led the regionalism movement that was popular with American Art during the 1930's. Born in Anamosa, Iowa, Wood's works of art were basically of people and the landscape of Iowa. He lived and taught in Iowa most of his life. He believed that artists should stay in their home communities and paint from personal experience based on their local and national heritage.Wood created many paintings portraying images of the Midwest, but his most popular and known painting is American Gothic. Along with a popular painting of Wood's, American Gothic is one of the most fam ...view middle of the document...
When first exhibited, the painting caused some controversy. Some people thought the picture was mocking common ruralpeople. His actual intent was to capture and show the hard work and determination that he saw in his family, and other families where he lived.I think Wood's work can mean different things to different people, and bring out mixed emotions for each individual who looks at it. Some people could view the painting as slightly humorous, because of the stern looks on the people's faces. Others might find the painting sad. Maybe it could be portrayed as sad if viewed by people who can relate to this lifestyle. Mostly, Wood did a good job representing what he was trying to represent. The people, their clothing, their facial expressions, and their environment show that Iowa was not the easiest and most pleasant home place in the 1930's. He did a good job demonstrating the style of the time period, because he, first hand, lived their himself, and experienced the lifestyle and environment that he painted. Historical style is a recognized traditional way of painting that characterizes a particular historical period. Everyone who viewed the painting may not have realized that it was intended to be set in Iowa during the 1930's, but it could be difficult painted something that everyone will get the same meaning out of. I believe he did as well as he could to show which time period he was conveying. He may have tried to use individuality while creating his work, but he was stern and determined that all artists should paint from personal experience. I do not believe he was unique with his individual style. Most of his works were based on simple geometric shapes with sharp contours rendered in bright, but earthy colors. The scene itself was unique, but the colors, shapes, and motives did not stand out much. All in all, I think Wood's painting deserved the prizes it received, and the emotive messages were well shown.
