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American Gothic
Grant Wood (1891-1942)
Oil on beaverboard, 1930; Friends of American Art Collection,
Art Institute of Chicago
Grant Wood's American Gothic depicts an Iowa farmer and his spinster daughter posing before their house. The gabled window and tracery are in the American Gothic style, which inspired the painting's title. In reality, the models were Wood's sister and their dentist. Although seen by many as a satire on rigid, insular nature of rural life, the artist believed the painting portrayed the Puritan work ethic and virtues of the American Midwest.
Gary says he discovered American Gothic, and many other great artworks, playing Masterpiece, the 1971 art auction board game from Parker Brothers.
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