Early Life and Career
Grant DeVolson Wood, an American painter, was born on February 13, 1891, in rural Iowa. His life took a significant turn after his father's death in 1901, when his mother moved the family to Cedar Rapids. Wood began as an apprentice in a local metal shop and later enrolled in The Handicraft Guild, an art school run by women in Minneapolis in 1910.
Artistic Influences and Style
Wood's artistic style was heavily influenced by
Jan van Eyck, a 15th-century Flemish artist known for his clarity of technique. This influence is evident in Wood's most famous work,
American Gothic, an iconic painting of the 20th century. Wood's association with the American Regionalism movement, which emphasized realistic scenes of rural and small-town America, further solidified his classically American image.
Notable Works and Contributions
*
American Gothic (1930) - a widely recognized cultural icon, comparable to
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and
Edvard Munch's The Scream
*
The Stone City Art Colony (1932) - founded by Wood near his hometown to support artists during the Great Depression
* Teaching at the University of Iowa's School of Art from 1934 to 1941
Legacy and Later Life
Wood died on February 12, 1942, at the age of 51, due to pancreatic cancer. His estate was left to his sister,
Nan Wood Graham, who was also the subject of
American Gothic. Today, Wood's personal effects and various works of art are part of the
Figge Art Museum's collection in Davenport, Iowa.
- View Grant Wood's artwork on WahooArt: [https://WahooArt.com/@/GrantWood](https://WahooArt.com/@/GrantWood)
- Explore the Regionalism Art Movement: [https://WahooArt.com/@@/A@D3CR7D-The-Regionalism-Art-Movement](https://WahooArt.com/@@/A@D3CR7D-The-Regionalism-Art-Movement)
- Discover more about American Gothic: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic)
Wood's legacy as a prominent figure in American Regionalism continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike.