Grant Wood
American, 1891­1942
American Gothic
1930
Oil on beaver board
74.3 x 62.4 cm
Friends of American Art Collection, 1930.934

The farmer and his daughter in this painting stand before a white house built in the “Gothic Revival” style, like many houses in Wood’s native Iowa. Certain shapes are repeated throughout the painting. For instance, the farmer’s pitchfork is echoed in the seams of his overalls.

Some people think this painting celebrates the hard work and no-nonsense lifestyle of Midwesterners in the 1930s. Others think the artist meant to poke fun at rural life with this unsmiling pair. What do you think?