American Gothic painting slideshow notes

gothic notes

1. American American
GothicGothic
By: Grant WoodBy: Grant Wood

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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….

11. 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!