Grant Wood American Gothic Interpretation

“American Gothic”
Artist: Grant Wood

One of the most famous paintings during renaissance period is the “American Gothic” painted by Grant
Wood. It is the best exemplary for the painters against the sophisticated and cosmopolitan abstract art of the time. It depicts the scenes and people in America where Wood relates of his native Iowa.
Wood’s style in painting is more detailed and restrained. The work is painted with sharply contrasting tones and hard lighting techniques that give the painting an intense realism. The painting has its own distinctive touches of irony and realism.
Now, let’s unpack the meaning of the objects we found in the painting. Well, as we all know paintings has its hidden meaning that the artist wants to portray. Every object
is very significant in conveying a message. Before we go on unpacking the objects, let’s take a look first at the title. “American Gothic”, it tells something like being superior.
As we look at the picture we see a man and woman appear to be stern and strong. The woman looks off to her right directly to a man with a pitchfork in his hand. Their emotion is really impressive that you can depict on their faces. They appear to be such superior with their gesture. Now as you can see the objects behind them is a window in a form of a gothic pattern that looks like a window used commonly in church. This may give as another hint which we can think of a faith or tradition. Take a look again at the two persons, the man is wearing a cloth which is used by the priest. It tells something ironic with the pitchfork he holds and to his strong face.
If we combine all of the knowledge we used to unpack the meaning of the painting, we can actually say that message was derived during renaissance period. A look back from our history, during middle ages, church is the center of all. The pope took the place of being superior to all. They are the one who control the world. But during renaissance period, people has a freedom of their own. This lead the idea of humanism. Renaissance focused on the intellectual capacity of individual and not the principles of the
church.
The objects itself proved the interpretation of mine about the painting is somehow correct. The church is behind the two persons which means they are now who control of their own and not the church. The man wearing a cloth used by the priest tells something that leaders in the church (represented with his cloth) has no right to tell the right or wrong of his doing (pitchfork symbolizes his opposition to the church). The woman their represents the nun in monastery who tried to reconcile the church and the state (specifically the America).
From its title American Gothic, we can therefore conclude that the painting conveys a message about the country America which is not controlled by the church. If we based our knowledge through avid research, they also respond in my interpretation. The church and the state have its problem that the pope is trying to fix.

To be passed by:
Eirnest Dave Son R. Eliver
BSF Fish Processing

To:
Prof. Pablo Flamiano
Humanities 1 Lecturer