Early Life and Education:
* Born in Anamosa, Iowa, on February 13, 1891.
* Studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he developed his skills in realism and representational art.
Artistic Style and Influences:
* Wood's art is characterized by a distinctive regionalist style that celebrated the rural American Midwest.
* His works often depicted scenes of everyday life, landscapes, and portraits of ordinary people.
* He was heavily influenced by European artists such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Jan van Eyck, who also focused on realism and detailed imagery.
Key Works:
* "American Gothic" (1930): This painting is Wood's most famous work. It depicts a stern-faced farmer and his daughter, standing in front of a simplified Gothic Revival house. The work became an enduring symbol of American rural life and the Great Depression.
* "Dinner for Threshers" (1934): A large-scale painting depicting a typical Midwestern farm family gathered for a meal.
* "Stone City" (1930): A landscape painting featuring the rock formations near Wood's hometown.
* "Woman with Plants" (1929): A portrait of a woman holding flowers, demonstrating Wood's focus on detail and symbolism.
Legacy:
* Wood's paintings are considered important works of American regionalism, a movement that sought to depict the values and experiences of specific regions.
* His works continue to be celebrated for their realism, simplicity, and nostalgic portrayal of American rural life.
* "American Gothic" has become a cultural icon, widely recognized and reproduced in various forms.
Other Notable Facts:
* Wood was a member of the American Regionalist movement, which aimed to depict the American spirit through everyday life.
* He received the Gold Medal at the 1930 Biennial Exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
* Wood died on February 12, 1942, at the age of 51.
Grant Wood's artistic legacy continues to inspire artists and viewers alike, offering a glimpse into the heart and soul of rural America during a significant period in its history.