The US-American artist Grant DeVolson Wood achieved international fame with his artwork "American Gothic". His style can be attributed to the American regionalism of the 1930s. He grew up in a rural area. His parents were Quakers and ran a farm. After school Wood started an apprenticeship in a wood and metal business. He discovered his interest in art and painting at a young age. At the age of 14, Grant Wood won first prizes at art competitions. Later he attended an art and factory school in Minneapolis and attended evening classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1916, however, he dropped out of his studies. A trip to Paris in 1920 brought about a change. He decided to study art at the Académie Julian, which he completed in 1923 and 1924. During his time in Europe Wood studied the different painting styles. He was especially impressed by the old Dutch painting style of the artist Jan van Eyck. Characteristics of this style were soon found in his own works. His former studio in 5 Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids is now the city's art museum.
Wood was not only occupied with painting. In 1927 he designed a stained glass window for a building commemorating fallen veterans. Detailed depictions of fallen soldiers from the six American wars were shown on the large window. He used his capital to specifically promote other artists. In the 1930s the economic situation in America was difficult. In order to support artists during the economic crisis, he established the Stone City Art Colony near his home town. One of his greatest successes was his artwork entitled "American Gothic". This work made him a celebrity on the international art scene from one day to the next. The realistic depiction uses the stylistic means of the Renaissance and shows a man with a pitchfork and a woman, with a neo-Gothic wooden house in the background. The facial expressions of both persons appear first and a little strict. The woman's gaze passes the viewer. The composition of the picture reminds of a photograph. The interpretation of the representation is still marked by ambiguity and ambiguity. The question whether it is a parody or glorification remains unanswered. During his lifetime, Wood's questions about the intention of the picture were always evaded. This important work can be admired today at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although the painting made him famous, American Gothic was not the first painting in this new style. In 1929 he painted a portrait of his mother in exactly this style under the title Woman with Plants. Among his works is also a self-portrait, which is today kept in the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.
The US-American artist Grant DeVolson Wood achieved international fame with his artwork "American Gothic". His style can be attributed to the American regionalism of the 1930s. He grew up in a rural area. His parents were Quakers and ran a farm. After school Wood started an apprenticeship in a wood and metal business. He discovered his interest in art and painting at a young age. At the age of 14, Grant Wood won first prizes at art competitions. Later he attended an art and factory school in Minneapolis and attended evening classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1916, however, he dropped out of his studies. A trip to Paris in 1920 brought about a change. He decided to study art at the Académie Julian, which he completed in 1923 and 1924. During his time in Europe Wood studied the different painting styles. He was especially impressed by the old Dutch painting style of the artist Jan van Eyck. Characteristics of this style were soon found in his own works. His former studio in 5 Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids is now the city's art museum.
Wood was not only occupied with painting. In 1927 he designed a stained glass window for a building commemorating fallen veterans. Detailed depictions of fallen soldiers from the six American wars were shown on the large window. He used his capital to specifically promote other artists. In the 1930s the economic situation in America was difficult. In order to support artists during the economic crisis, he established the Stone City Art Colony near his home town. One of his greatest successes was his artwork entitled "American Gothic". This work made him a celebrity on the international art scene from one day to the next. The realistic depiction uses the stylistic means of the Renaissance and shows a man with a pitchfork and a woman, with a neo-Gothic wooden house in the background. The facial expressions of both persons appear first and a little strict. The woman's gaze passes the viewer. The composition of the picture reminds of a photograph. The interpretation of the representation is still marked by ambiguity and ambiguity. The question whether it is a parody or glorification remains unanswered. During his lifetime, Wood's questions about the intention of the picture were always evaded. This important work can be admired today at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although the painting made him famous, American Gothic was not the first painting in this new style. In 1929 he painted a portrait of his mother in exactly this style under the title Woman with Plants. Among his works is also a self-portrait, which is today kept in the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.
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