American American GothicGothicBy: Grant WoodBy: Grant Wood

Here’s the story…Here’s the story…

The house used in the painting was built in The house used in the painting was built in the 1880’s. the 1880’s.

Because he loved the shape of the windows Because he loved the shape of the windows so much, he took pictures of the house in so much, he took pictures of the house in order to paint it in his studio. The house was order to paint it in his studio. The house was built in a style known as built in a style known as Carpenter GothicCarpenter Gothic..

His sister, Nan, posed for the painting.His sister, Nan, posed for the painting.

Then, separately from the sister, he invited Then, separately from the sister, he invited his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, to pose as his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, to pose as the man in the painting. the man in the painting.

He pictured the two as a farmer and his He pictured the two as a farmer and his daughter and he used the pitchfork to daughter and he used the pitchfork to represent “farming.”represent “farming.”

The shape of the pitchfork also was used to The shape of the pitchfork also was used to emphasize the ovalness of the farmers’ emphasize the ovalness of the farmers’ faces.faces.

We will be creating our own version of We will be creating our own version of American GothicAmerican Gothic, including in it something , including in it something we are interested in.we are interested in.

Here are a few that other artists have Here are a few that other artists have done….done….

Requirements for “your own” Requirements for “your own” American GothicAmerican Gothic

Must have a background and at Must have a background and at least two objects in the least two objects in the foreground.foreground.

Must be in full color and have Must be in full color and have value.value.

Think neat!Think neat!