Grant Wood: American Gothic

Thanks Ellen. The people in the painting were painted at separate sittings, one being Grant Wood’s dentist and the other his beloved sister Nan (Wood thought he may have upset her the way he portrayed her here so he painted her portrait a year later - a painting he kept in the family and never sold during his lifetime ) Cheers - Gary

Thank you for your very kind words Yolanda. Cheers - Gary

Hi Timothy. For some unknown reason I missed reading your comment until now so apologies. Thank you for your valued comments. When it comes to the challenge of writing an ekphrasis I enjoy sharpening my quill with my pen knife in preparation. :) Cheers - Gary

Thanks Paul. I'll hold my hand up and say that although I have seen the painting crop up several times somewhere in my life I never knew who painted it until I came across it on the net recently. I describe many past artists as the pop stars of their day; 'painting the lyrics', so as to speak, that ask questions and that celebrate love, life and death etc. Of course, art is open to personal interpretations, misconceptions and the like but that's what I like about art ..and indeed poetry. I like to ask questions in many of my ekphrases that I attempt as it helps me think about my writing. Thanks again for taking time out to read and comment; it's very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Great comments as per always John - thank you. Irony? Yes, could very well be. I don't know and, of course, I will never truly know. This from Google Land: "..he aimed to create a positive statement about rural American values and provide an image of reassurance at a time of great hardship and disenchantment brought by the Great Depression."...Hmmm..I'm of the opinion that that quote was more to do with appeasing those people he had originally upset with the painting. I sense that he's a painter who likes to hold up a mirror to his work so that the viewer may see what the viewer wants to see. Ambiguity being deliberate. I don't particularly like the painting..I just like 'the big who, what, where, how and why that lies behind it. Cheers - Gary

Thank you. I truly appreciate your comments. In hindsight, I set out to write this ekphrasis not because I'm in love with the painting; more the story behind, the symbolism within, and the question 'why' he painted it. I'm glad you like it. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Thanks so much Robert. It's wonderful to read you again here at The Soup. Great news! Cheers - Gary

We all or who amongst us don't need and seek inspiration from time to time don't we Sir

Hi Christopher. I tend to turn to writing ekphraises when my poetic head needs a jolt of a prompt to write something. Fortunately the ekphrases I've written I view among my best pieces. Good to see you back writing at The Soup. I need to catch up in the next few days with my reading and commenting. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Andrea. Cheers - Gary

Thank you Belle. I'm of the opinion that Grant Wood deliberately made the painting's meanings and symbolism ambiguous. He holds a mirror up to the viewer so that they'll see and find what they wish to see and find. I think that's what I like about 'American Gothic'. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Laura! Cheers - Gary

Thanks Bill. I hope you are keeping well. This is a painting I wasn't too familiar with until I stumbled on it whilst googling another artist. It hooked me and yet it's a strange painting. The artist painted the two people at separate times. They were his sister..and his dentist! It's not a great painting in my eyes but there was something about it that made me want to write about it. Poetry eh? :) Cheers - Gary

Hi Susan. Thank you for your visit and valued comments. I love any painting or piece of art that triggers debate and discussion. This painting certainly does that. :) Cheers - Gary

..and a happy Easter to you too Paula. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Gary, type in Green Acres intro, it's worth it!

Hi Anaya. Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, I believe the house (Dibble House) can be viewed by the public. Ive not visited it myself. I've seen the painting parodied on 'The Simpsons' . I don't think we can get 'Green Acres' here in the UK but I will look into it. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Hi Charlotte. Yes, they look grim. :) The painting, to me too, is grim. It's as if the two characters, through Grant Wood don't want us to look further than what we can see at face value...I saw writing a poem about it a challenge. Cheers - Gary

Thanks so much Brian. I find using questions a device for involving the reader more with my Poetry. I really appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Elizabeth. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Fin.."When American Gothic was first shown in 1930, there were critics who said that she (Grant's sister Nan who modelled the woman in the painting) looked like the missing link, that her face would turn milk sour,” says Wood biographer R. Tripp Evans. The following year, as a sort of apology, Grant painted Portrait of Nan, one of his most intriguing works. “It’s really kind of a love letter from Grant to his sister,” says Evans. “He adored Nan. And it’s a painting that he felt very close to as well, one of very few of his mature paintings that he kept for himself.” Cheers - Gary

Thank you Sara and I believe congratulations to you too for the contest. I noted the names who won but have not read any of them yet - hopefully tomorrow. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Linda. It's not a painting I'm particularly in love with to be honest but it's the stories and secrets behind the painting Grant Wood painted that fascinates me. Cheers - Gary

Thanks Christuraj. This from Google Land: "The pitchfork is a richly symbolic item. Referred to as a trident in Greek mythology, it was the symbol of the mighty Poseidon, god of the sea. In Christianity the pitchfork came to be associated with the Devil and with wicked activity" Cheers - Gary

Thank you! Wendy! If only my poem had the same monetary value. :) Cheers - Gary

Thanks so much for commenting Joyce. I love your comment. :) Cheers - Gary

Hi Michelle. By all accounts it's a house (some call it a cottage on the net) built in the 'carpenter gothic style.' that can be visited today. It's a museum now and known as the Dibble House..."In 1930, Grant Wood took a tour of a small Iowa town, and spotted a little white house with a large Gothic window. Inspired, Wood quickly sketched the house, and returned home to Cedar Rapids to paint American Gothic. The house still stands to this day, and its exterior is viewed by thousands of people each year." There is certainly an austere feel to the painting. Thanks so much for your comments. Cheers - Gary