Grant Wood

Painter, born in Anamosa, Iowa, USA. After working as a farmer, silversmith, and designer, he made four trips to Europe in the 1920s, where he was exposed to the late mediaeval primitive painting style that would later influence his work. He settled back in Cedar Rapids, IA, becoming a painter who captured the idiosyncratic aspects of the people and landscape there, thus becoming a founder of the so-called regional movement. His most famous works, such as ‘American Gothic’ (1930) and ‘Daughters of Revolution’ (1932), are characterized by a flat, almost abstract surface and ironic subtext. From 1934 he taught painting at the University of Iowa.

Grant Wood, born Grant DeVolson Wood (February 13, 1891 – February 12, 1942) was an American painter, born in Anamosa, Iowa. After graduating from Washington High School (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) , Wood enrolled in art school in Minneapolis in 1910, and returned a year later to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1913 he enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago and did some work as a silversmith. From 1924 to 1935 Wood lived in the loft of a carriage house that he turned into his personal studio at "5 Turner Alley" (the studio had no address until Wood made one up himself). In 1932, Wood helped found the Stone City art colony near his hometown to help artists get through the Great Depression. He became a great proponent of regionalism in the arts, lecturing throughout the country on the topic.

Wood taught painting at the University of Iowa art school beginning in 1934, prompting his move to Iowa City.

His Work

Wood was an active painter from an extremely young age until his death, and although he is best known for his paintings, he worked in a large number of mediums, including ink, charcoal, ceramics, metal, wood and found objects. This included painting advertisements, sketching rooms of a mortuary house for promotional flyers and, in one case, designing the corn-themed decor (including chandelier) for the dining room of a hotel.

Woods' best known work is his 1930 painting American Gothic, one of the most familiar images in 20th century American Art. The painting was first exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago where it can still be found today. Today, the painting is often satirized in pop culture, though it remains one of the top examples of Regionalism and American art. Wood is considered the patron artist of Cedar Rapids, and one of his designs is depicted on the 2004 Iowa State Quarter.