Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"American Gothic" is an iconic painting by the American artist Grant Wood, created in 1930. The painting depicts two solemn figures positioned in front of a white house designed in the Carpenter Gothic architectural style. The figures are a farmer, holding a pitchfork, and a woman in a colonial print apron reminiscent of both the 19th-century American frontier and early 20th-century rural life.

- The Man: The male figure is an older man with a stern expression, clad in overalls beneath a dark suit jacket. He sports a pair of round-rimmed glasses and has thin, receding hair. His direct stare and the rigid way he holds the pitchfork suggest strength, resolve, and an unyielding demeanor.

- The Woman: The female figure, often considered to represent either his wife or daughter, has a more subdued and almost melancholic expression. She wears a dark dress with a ruffled collar and an apron, her hair neatly pulled back. Her gaze is slightly to the side, avoiding direct eye contact with the viewer, adding a contemplative air to her presence.

- The House: The house behind the two figures features a distinctive window with a gothic arch, emphasizing a blend of architectural styles that evoke both elegance and simplicity. Details like the neat curtains and the well-kept appearance of the structure hint at the importance of home and order in their lives.

- Backdrop: The setting, though simplistic, is layered with meaning. The earthy tones of the figures' clothing, the tools, and the house’s wooden exterior harmonize with the overall somber palette of the painting, invoking a sense of austerity and perseverance.

- Location: "American Gothic" is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, where it has been since its early acquisition in 1930.

- Grant Wood (1891-1942): Grant Wood was a central figure in promoting Regionalism, an art movement that focused on rural American themes, rejecting the influence of European modernist abstraction. This movement sought to capture the character and spirit of America’s heartland.

- Artistic Career and Movement:
- Wood's career was deeply rooted in capturing the essence of rural America during the interwar period.
- "American Gothic" stands out as his most famous work and is crucial in understanding the tenets of Regionalism. Its attention to realistic, sharply detailed portrayal of Midwestern subjects aimed to highlight the uniqueness of American culture and identity.
- Despite its simple subject matter, "American Gothic" offers a rich tableau layered with social commentary on rural American values, the agricultural economy, and the rigid social structures of the time.

- Noteworthy Details:
- Grant Wood used his sister, Nan Wood Graham, and his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, as models for the woman and the man, respectively.
- The painting's meticulous technique and attention to minute detail are influenced by Wood's interest in Northern Renaissance art, especially the work of artists such as Jan Van Eyck.
- Upon its exhibition, "American Gothic" received both acclaim and criticism. Some viewed it as a satirical depiction, while others saw it as a heartfelt homage to the hardworking American spirit.

"American Gothic" remains one of the most enduring images in American art, symbolizing both the stoic resolve and the resilient spirit of the rural Midwest. Its legacy in American culture reflects a profound connection to the country’s historical and social landscape during the early 20th century.