Date of Birth: February 13, 1891
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: February 12, 1942
Biography
Grant DeVolson Wood was an American painter, best known for his iconic work “American Gothic,” which has become one of the most recognized images in 20th-century American art. Born on a farm in Anamosa, Iowa, Wood developed an early appreciation for the rural American landscape, which would later become a central theme in his work. After studying art in Minneapolis and at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Wood made several trips to Europe, where he was influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. However, it was his return to the United States and his embrace of Regionalism that solidified his place in art history. Regionalism was an American art movement that depicted realistic scenes of rural and small-town America, and Wood became one of its leading figures. His works often depicted the American Midwest, capturing the spirit and character of its people and landscapes. Wood’s career was marked by both acclaim and controversy. While he enjoyed significant success during his lifetime, his work was also critiqued for its perceived conservatism. Despite this, his influence on American art is undeniable, and he remains a celebrated figure in the history of American painting.
5 Interesting Facts about Grant Wood
1. Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” was inspired by a house in Eldon, Iowa, and his sister and dentist posed as the iconic farmer and daughter in the painting.
2. He founded the Stone City Art Colony in Iowa in 1932, aiming to create a community for artists to work and collaborate.
3. Wood served as an art professor at the University of Iowa, where he influenced a new generation of American artists.
4. He was deeply influenced by the time he spent studying in Europe, particularly the works of the Northern Renaissance artists.
5. Despite his public image as a regionalist, Wood was a complex figure with a keen interest in modernist trends and European avant-garde movements.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Grant Wood
1. “All the good ideas I ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.”
2. “I had to go to France to appreciate Iowa.”
3. “Technique does not constitute art. Nor is it a vague, fuzzy romantic quality known as ‘beauty,’ remote from the realities of everyday life.”
4. “I realized that all the really good ideas I’d ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.”
5. “I believe in America, and I believe that if we can keep our democracy and our cities, we will be able to keep the world.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Grant Wood’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but his estate and works have significantly appreciated in value posthumously.
Children
Grant Wood did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Grant Wood – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Wood
3. [Grant Wood – Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Grant-Wood
5. [Grant Wood – Smithsonian American Art Museum](https://americanart.si.edu/artist/grant-wood-5461
