American Gothic
Brittnie Dean
Randy Rambo
ENG-1001-100
5 June 2013
Questions Within Our Eyes A man of many years dressed in nineteenth century clothing is shown standing with a much younger woman. The three most common questions most people would ask are, “Who are the man and women in the painting?” also “What’s the relationship between the young woman and the gentleman?” and last “What does their life portray?” The man in the painting is a town dentist from Wood’s hometown and the woman is Wood’s sister, Nan. Many characteristics about this painting are unique and questionable. This painting will allow viewers to expand their imagination. The American Gothic painted by Grant Wood in August of 1930 demonstrates expressionism used in the man and woman’s face, the house shown in the background, and the way of life they portray.
When looking at this painting, we see a man and woman carrying the same non-expressive facial expression. As the man is starring directly at the viewer, his expression in his eyes show he is stern. As opposed to the woman, she is not looking directly at the viewer but somewhere off the distance to the left. She appears to be furrowing her eyebrows when looking in the distance, presenting herself as distracted, uninterested, or annoyed. In the early nineteenth century, having to paint a picture consumed a great amount of time; therefore they kept a neutral face to make it easier on themselves and for the artists as well. Their neutral expressions can also be taken as an expression of the great depression and the hardships on the farms during the time period. The mans demeanor and the woman’s disturbed expression leads to the explanation that although their farm is in trouble, they are willing to face what is to come in the hardships.
Besides the expression given from both the man and woman, the house is another main focus to the painting. The design of the house is based on an American Gothic style, hence the title of the painting.
Randy Rambo
ENG-1001-100
5 June 2013
Questions Within Our Eyes A man of many years dressed in nineteenth century clothing is shown standing with a much younger woman. The three most common questions most people would ask are, “Who are the man and women in the painting?” also “What’s the relationship between the young woman and the gentleman?” and last “What does their life portray?” The man in the painting is a town dentist from Wood’s hometown and the woman is Wood’s sister, Nan. Many characteristics about this painting are unique and questionable. This painting will allow viewers to expand their imagination. The American Gothic painted by Grant Wood in August of 1930 demonstrates expressionism used in the man and woman’s face, the house shown in the background, and the way of life they portray.
When looking at this painting, we see a man and woman carrying the same non-expressive facial expression. As the man is starring directly at the viewer, his expression in his eyes show he is stern. As opposed to the woman, she is not looking directly at the viewer but somewhere off the distance to the left. She appears to be furrowing her eyebrows when looking in the distance, presenting herself as distracted, uninterested, or annoyed. In the early nineteenth century, having to paint a picture consumed a great amount of time; therefore they kept a neutral face to make it easier on themselves and for the artists as well. Their neutral expressions can also be taken as an expression of the great depression and the hardships on the farms during the time period. The mans demeanor and the woman’s disturbed expression leads to the explanation that although their farm is in trouble, they are willing to face what is to come in the hardships.
Besides the expression given from both the man and woman, the house is another main focus to the painting. The design of the house is based on an American Gothic style, hence the title of the painting.