# Grant Wood

> American painter (1891–1942)

**Wikidata**: [Q217434](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q217434)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Wood)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grant-wood

## Summary
Grant Wood (1891–1942) was an American painter, printmaker, and university teacher celebrated for his portraits and landscapes that capture the essence of rural America. He is best known as the creator of the iconic 1930 painting *American Gothic*, a defining work of 20th-century American art. His artistic contributions helped shape the Regionalist movement, and his legacy endures through his influential works and his tenure as an educator at the University of Iowa.

## Biography
- Born: February 13, 1891
- Died: February 12, 1942 (also listed as February 13, 1942)
- Nationality: United States
- Birth Name: Grant DeVolson Wood
- Aliases: Grant DeVolson Wood, Wood, Grant Devolson Wood
- Education: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Académie Julian (Paris, France)
- Known for: Painting, printmaking, and teaching; iconic works such as *American Gothic* and *Daughters of Revolution*
- Employer(s): University of Iowa (university teacher)
- Occupation: Painter, printmaker, university teacher
- Field(s): Portrait painting, landscape painting, still life

## Contributions
Grant Wood developed a body of work that became central to American Regionalism, focusing on rural landscapes and sharply detailed portraits. His most renowned creation, *American Gothic* (1930), depicts a stern-faced farmer and his daughter and has become a cultural icon, widely referenced and parodied. Other major works include *Daughters of Revolution* (1932), a satirical painting; *The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere* (1931); *Woman with Plants* (1929); and *Arnold Comes of Age* (1930). Through his role as a university teacher at the University of Iowa, Wood mentored future generations of artists, contributing significantly to art education. His affiliations with institutions such as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Académie Julian in Paris reflect a foundation of formal artistic training that informed his distinctive style.

## FAQs
**What are Grant Wood's most famous works?**
His best-known painting is *American Gothic* (1930), which has achieved iconic status in American culture. Other notable works include *Daughters of Revolution* (1932), *The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere* (1931), *Woman with Plants* (1929), and *Arnold Comes of Age* (1930).

**Where did Grant Wood study art?**
Wood studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an independent art and design school founded in 1866. He also attended the Académie Julian, a prominent art school in Paris, France, established in 1867.

**Where did Grant Wood work as a teacher?**
He served as a university teacher at the University of Iowa, a public research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, which was founded in 1847 and is recognized for its high research activity.

**What artistic genres did Grant Wood focus on?**
His body of work spans multiple genres, including portrait painting, landscape painting, and still life, all of which he explored through a distinctly American, often rural, lens.

**What was Grant Wood's full name?**
His full name was Grant DeVolson Wood. He is also referenced under the aliases Wood and Grant Devolson Wood.

## Why They Matter
Grant Wood holds a critical place in American art history for championing a distinctly American aesthetic during the early 20th century. As a leading figure in Regionalism, he shifted focus away from European modernism, turning instead to the people, landscapes, and values of the American Midwest. His painting *American Gothic* not only became one of the most recognized artworks in the world but also sparked ongoing conversations about identity, class, and rural American life. Through his teaching at the University of Iowa, Wood shaped academic approaches to art, influencing generations of students. His other works, such as *Daughters of Revolution* and *The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere*, demonstrate a commitment to combining narrative depth with sharp technique. Wood's legacy is preserved through his paintings, prints, and educational impact, making him a foundational figure in understanding American visual culture.

## Notable For
- Creator of *American Gothic* (1930), one of the most iconic paintings in American art history
- Pioneering figure in American Regionalism, emphasizing rural and Midwestern themes
- Painter of *Daughters of Revolution* (1932), known for its satirical commentary
- Artist behind *The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere* (1931), a stylized historical narrative
- Creator of *Woman with Plants* (1929) and *Arnold Comes of Age* (1930)
- University teacher at the University of Iowa, contributing to art education
- Alumnus of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Académie Julian in Paris
- Multifaceted practice across portrait painting, landscape painting, still life, and printmaking
- Subject of extensive scholarly cataloging with numerous identifiers across global library and art databases

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Grant DeVolson Wood was born on February 13, 1891, in the United States. His artistic training began at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a leading independent art and design institution established in 1866 in Chicago. Seeking broader exposure, he also studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, France, a prestigious art school founded in 1867 that attracted many international students. This dual foundation in American and European art traditions informed his later distinctive style.

### Artistic Career and Major Works
Wood built a diverse portfolio across multiple genres: portrait painting, landscape painting, still life, and printmaking. His career-defining work, *American Gothic*, was painted in 1930 and features a stoic farmer and his daughter standing before a house with a distinctive Gothic window. The painting became a cultural touchstone, generating widespread discussion about rural American identity.

Following this success, Wood produced several notable works:
- *The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere* (1931), a dramatic interpretation of the famous historical event
- *Daughters of Revolution* (1932), a pointed satire targeting the Daughters of the American Revolution
- *Woman with Plants* (1929), a portrait depicting a woman surrounded by plant life
- *Arnold Comes of Age* (1930), a portrait painting set in the United States

These works demonstrate Wood's ability to blend narrative content with meticulous technique, contributing to the Regionalist movement that emphasized realistic depictions of everyday American life.

### Academic Career and Affiliations
Wood served as a university teacher at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The university, a public research institution founded in 1847, is classified as a doctoral university with very high research activity. During his tenure, Wood influenced the development of art education and mentored students who would carry forward his emphasis on American themes. The University of Iowa itself has played a significant role in higher education, enrolling over 30,000 students and employing more than 10,000 staff.

### Fields of Work and Genres
Wood's practice spanned several interconnected fields:
- **Painting**: His primary medium, encompassing various styles and subjects
- **Printmaking**: He produced prints from plates or blocks, expanding the reach of his imagery
- **Portrait Painting**: A significant focus, evident in works like *American Gothic* and *Arnold Comes of Age*
- **Landscape Painting**: Featured prominently in his depictions of rural America
- **Still Life**: An additional genre explored in his body of work

### Identifiers and Legacy
Grant Wood's legacy is extensively documented across global cultural and academic databases. His works and biography appear in major cataloging systems, including:
- Library of Congress authority records
- Virtual International Authority File (VIAF)
- ISNI, BNF, and other national library identifiers
- Museum and art databases such as the RKD, Benezit, and the Smithsonian
- Wikidata and Wikipedia

He is cataloged under multiple identifiers, reflecting the breadth of his international scholarly and artistic recognition. His Wikipedia entry spans over 50 language editions, indicating his global significance.

### Death
Grant Wood died on either February 12 or February 13, 1942, at the age of 50. His passing marked the end of a career that left an indelible mark on American art, education, and cultural identity. His works continue to be studied, exhibited, and referenced worldwide, securing his place as a central figure in the narrative of American painting.

## References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
2. [Source](http://collguides.lib.uiowa.edu/?RG99.0033)
3. [Source](http://uipress.lib.uiowa.edu/bdi/DetailsPage.aspx?id=416)
4. RKDartists
5. Museum of Modern Art online collection
6. Union List of Artist Names
7. BnF authorities
8. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/60032)
9. Find a Grave
10. [Source](https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1982.html)
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
13. SNAC
14. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
15. Wood, Grant (13 February 1891–12 February 1942), artist
16. Discogs
17. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Wood, Grant
20. Croatian Encyclopedia
21. Library of Congress Authorities
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://www.arsny.com/mostwanted/)
24. DACS register
25. [Source](http://www.moma.org/collection/works/71058)
26. Metropolitan Museum of Art
27. [Source](https://pacscl.exlibrisgroup.com:48994/F/?func=find-b&request=000212227&find_code=SYS)
28. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)
29. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma99822933504896)
30. Catalogo of the National Library of India