American Gothic 1930 by Grant Wood

American Gothic 1930 by Grant Wood
Year: 1930 | Medium: Oil on beaverboard | Location: Art Institute of Chicago

An iconic work of the American Regionalist movement, Grant Wood’s American Gothic was painted in 1930 during the Great Depression in America. Currently part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, the painting shows a farmer standing next to his daughter (though she’s often mistakenly assumed to be his wife). Called American Gothic after the house in the background’s architectural style, it’s one of the most recognized paintings in 20th-century American art. It’s become known around the world, however, often parodied in American popular culture. It was first shown outside of the United States in 2016 and 2017 at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris and the Royal Academy of Arts in London, respectively.