American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood (American, 1891-1942)The Art Institute of Chicago
Any list of America’s best-known oil paintings must feature Grant Wood’s 1930 ‘American Gothic’. Initially, Wood only received a bronze medal (along with a $300 prize) for his masterwork at Chicago’s 1930 Exhibition of Art. Today, it is safe to say that Wood’s deceptively simple portrait is the Art Institute of Chicago’s most valuable American acquisition. Below, are six things you probably don’t know about this famous painting.
How an odd window inspired an American icon
Wood started sketching what would later become ‘American Gothic’ after spotting a wood-framed farmhouse in Eldon, Iowa. The main reason this house caught the artist's eye was due to its ornate medieval lancet arch in the upper window. Wood, who had studied painting in Europe, found this echo of grandiose Gothic cathedrals on a plain frame structure visually jarring. This combination of European high culture and American provincialism became a major theme in this painting.
Some Iowans got out their pitchforks
Many Iowan farmers weren’t pleased when they saw Wood’s painting in local newspapers listed as ‘Iowa Farmer and His Wife’. Immediately, dozens of proud Iowans inundated Chicago’s Art Institute with complaints. Detractors thought the deadpan depiction in the painting was insulting and didn’t accurately represent how they perceived themselves. Some Iowans were so angry by ‘American Gothic’, one even allegedly threatened to bite off Wood’s ear.
Old world techniques, new world subjects
In composing his picture, Wood consciously combined American and European painting techniques. One style the artist used in ‘American Gothic’ was the American tintype portrait, which was popular in the mid-1800s. This style of painting usually featured its subjects in poses directly facing the camera.
The sister and the dentist dress up for a picture
The two people Wood used as models in this picture were his sister, Nan, and his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby. In keeping with the old European Gothic style, Wood elongated his subjects in this work. Allegedly, Nan was disturbed at having herself portrayed, even fictionally, next to a married man twice her age. To assuage his sister’s embarrassment, Wood never definitively said the two subjects were husband and wife.
By Gordon ParksLIFE Photo Collection
American Gothic takes on Hollywood
Few paintings have been so frequently parodied in pop culture as ‘American Gothic’. The first notable parody in America was both a witty homage and a social critique. In 1942, celebrated African-American photographer Gordon Parks created ‘American Gothic, Washington D.C’. This shows a female custodian at Parks’ government employer’s offices holding the tools of her labor, a mop and a broom, in place of a pitchfork.
American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood (American, 1891-1942)The Art Institute of Chicago
An ‘American Gothic’ selfie
Built between 1881 and 1882 by Catherine and Charles Dibble, the house that inspired ‘American Gothic’ is now the American Gothic House Center and is owned by the State Historical Society of Iowa. Thousands of people stop by this mini-museum every year to learn more about the story behind this painting and, of course, to pose for a few selfies. Museum staff have plenty of pitchforks and costumes on hand for guests who want to take their very own ‘American Gothic’ photos.
