Grant Wood, "American Gothic"



   I thought about this iconic American painting recently when reading a historical novel about a 18th century American woman.  She had extreme difficulty reaching some personal goals just because she was not a man.
   When Grant Wood (1891-1942) painted this image in 1930 he had no idea it would become a huge symbol in our country.  But, now, in our time, when individual rights are of prime importance, I find it interesting to relook at American Gothic.  
   Much has been made of the paintings elements, and composition, which is amazing!  But to me what is important is the expressions on the faces in relation to the pitch fork.  Notice the daughter is positioned behind her father. It is difficult to decide what she is looking at, maybe just the back side of his face, but he is looking straight at us - as if he is daring us to challenge him.  And where is his power coming from?  The pitch fork!  Look at how Wood has included his fist at the very bottom center.  Now we can read into it as much as we want.  Is he protecting her?  Or is he restraining her?  Will she ever be allowed to escape from under his control?  Their facial expressions certainly don't provide much hope for future happiness.
    Now, just for fun, pretend the pitch fork is no longer there.  What happens?  Suddenly American Gothic just becomes a nice portrait of two people from Iowa, and probably the painting would still be back where it started, and Grant Wood would be just another minor regionalist artist.  All the power is gone.
  But all of these questions and all the imagery is what has made this painting so important in American culture.  After completing it, Wood entered it into a national competition at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it won a prize. Publicity brought an overwhelming response to the work. One smart critic urged the Art Institute to immediately purchase it, which they did, and so today it is one of the prize pieces in their permanent collection.  
   Much has been written about this painting and the artist, Grant Wood, so I encourage you to read further.   American Gothic is an oil on beaverboard.  It was painted in 1930.  It measures 30.7 inches high, 25.7 inches wide.  The Art Institute of Chicago purchased the painting in November, 1930 from the artist.  
   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.

    

Comments

  1. Char HarguthNovember 16, 2020 at 12:45 PM

    This is probably the most familiar painting, even among those not interested in art, and one of the most reproduced or characterized. It's interesting to imagine taking away the fork, but we would also have to take away the clenched fist!!! She would still be standing slightly behind him, with a submissive but defiant look. The painting definitely is a specific place and time. The composition always amazed me. It is simple but yet powerful. I would be fearful of his confrontation. I do not see any tenderness, but it certainly is a great painting, and so neatly executed. Always fun to restudy it.

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