Grant Wood
Grant Wood, an American painter, is best known for his iconic work American Gothic, which epitomizes the rural American Midwest during the Great Depression. A leading figure in the Regionalist art movement, Wood celebrated the simplicity, resilience, and character of small-town America through his meticulous and stylized depictions.
“All the really good ideas I’d ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.” - Grant Wood
13 Feb 1891 - 12 Feb 1942
About the artist
Grant Wood grew up on a farm in Iowa, which profoundly influenced his artistic vision and themes. After studying art in Chicago and traveling in Europe, Wood rejected modernist abstraction in favor of a realist style that celebrated rural American life. His work was marked by a sharp attention to detail, a muted color palette, and a focus on the cultural and physical landscape of the Midwest. Wood’s ability to infuse his paintings with humor, irony, and a deep respect for his subjects made him a central figure in the Regionalist movement, which sought to depict distinctly American themes during a time of economic and social hardship.
