American Gothic

Grant Wood. American Gothic. 1930. Oil on beaverboard, 2ft, 5 7/8 in. x 2ft 7/8 in. The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.

The most common misconception about Wood's painting is that it depicts a husband and wife, when truthfully it is of a father and unmarried daughter. What intrigued Wood to create this painting, and one of the reasons this work became an icon, is because of the house's window depicted in the background. The arch shape is a replica of the windows used in Gothic style Cathedrals in Europe. Wood was fascinated when he saw this window used on the small, American farmhouse; as did the painting's viewers. The painting gained instant fame because it was a representational and non abstract work that was produced during the height of abstract art and cubism. Many people who felt alienated by these movements found comfort in American Gothic's simplicity. The painting was referred to as the icon of American spirit. This is most evident in the couple: simply dressed, modest expressions, and the hard labor made to achieve the American dream, as shown through the farm land/house/barn, and the farmer's pitchfork and wrinkled overalls.

Spoofs:

Well, besides that there are THOUSANDS made by Average Joe's, there are also many wide renown parodies of American Gothic used in the mass media and popular culture.

The first parody of Wood's piece is by Gordon Parks:

Along with several political humor issues depicting Presidents and First Ladies, others include:

Many movies, and TV shows have used American Gothic for the publicity posters/ DVD covers.

The painting is also parodied in the opening sequence of the TV Show Desperate Housewives, and the lead characters of Green Acres stand in a similar pose in their show's opening.

There are also shots of characters in movies such as Beauty and the Beast and Rocky Horror Picture Show also repeat the pose.