格兰特·伍德《美国哥特式》1930
Introduction
American Gothic, a masterpiece by renowned artist Grant Wood, is an iconic painting that embodies the spirit of rural America during the early 20th century. This captivating artwork, which can be found in the esteemed Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, United States), has become a symbol of American culture and heritage.
A Tribute to Regionalism
Created in 1930, American Gothic is an exemplary piece of the Regionalism art movement, which emerged as a response to the Great Depression. This American realist modern art movement focuses on realistic scenes of rural and small-town America primarily in the Midwest. Wood's inspiration for this painting came from what is now known as the American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa, along with his vision of "the kind of people [he] fancied should live in that house."
Meet the Characters
The painting features a farmer standing beside his spinster daughter. Wood modeled these figures after his sister and their dentist. The woman is dressed in a colonial print apron, evoking 19th-century Americana, while the man wears overalls and holds a pitchfork, symbolizing hard work and dedication to the land.
A National Icon
Since its creation, American Gothic has become one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art. The painting has been reproduced and parodied countless times, appearing in various forms of media and popular culture. It serves as a reminder of the enduring strength and resilience of rural America and its people.
Bringing Art to Your Home
At WahooArt.com, we offer high-quality handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artworks, including American Gothic. Our skilled artists meticulously recreate each detail to bring this iconic piece into your home or office. Explore our collection today and experience the beauty and power of American Gothic for yourself.
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《美国哥特式》与《自由女神像》，《芭比娃娃》，《野牛镍币》和《山姆大叔》称为美国文化的五大象征。
《美国哥特式》，1930年，76.2x63.5cm，板 油彩，芝加哥艺术学院,The Art Institute of Chicago,格兰特·伍德,Grant Wood,1892-1942年，美国
1928年，格兰特·伍德去了德国慕尼黑，很为那里的哥特艺术所迷恋。所谓的哥特式建筑，主要由石头的骨架券和飞扶壁组成。其基本单元是在一个正方形或矩形平面四角的柱子上作双圆心骨架尖券，四边和对角线上各一道，屋面石板架在券上，形成拱顶。采用这种方式，可以在不同跨度上作出矢高相同的券，拱顶重量轻，交线分明，减少了券脚的推力，简化了施工。由于采用了尖券、尖拱和飞扶壁等建筑形式，哥特式教堂的内部空间高旷、单纯、统一。装饰细部也都用尖券作主题，使建筑风格与结构手法形成有机整体。
1930年8月，伍德在Iowa南部的一个小镇看到一所颇具哥特式风格的房子，它建于1880年代，有五个房间。此建筑物的紧凑和坚实的设计，尤其是阁楼上的哥特式窗户，给伍德留下了非常深刻的印象。他想象着一个农夫和他的女儿站在房子前面，然后拍下这个房子的照片带回了他的工作室。他请他62岁的牙医和他30岁的妹妹作为画中人物的模特，并让他们穿上19世纪维多利亚时期的衣服。虽然在画中两人是站在一块的，但实际上这两个人物是在不同的场合下完成的。
伍德花两个月的时间完成了这幅作品，及时赶上了芝加哥艺术学院的展览。虽然一开始裁判们对是否要接受他这幅画上有分歧，但这幅画最后得以参展并获得了铜奖和300美元的奖励。当时这幅画引起了极大的争议，一个艺术批评家指责该画是“侮辱普通乡村人民的漫画”。有人认为伍德用这幅画来讽刺中西部文化的狭隘和压抑，但伍德本人否定了这种说法；也有人把这幅画理解为对美国乡村道德品质的颂扬；还有人认为这部作品的主题非常暧昧，既有赞扬的肯定，又不乏讽刺的意味。后来伍德自己透露他的画中含有讽刺的因素，但至于是哪些因素他缄口不言。
男人的眼睛直直地向前平视，双唇紧闭，黄瘦的脸上表情十分严肃，鼻梁上一丝不苟地架着圆圆的眼镜。他沾满泥巴的手里拿着一个叉，它既代表了在农业占主导地位的年代，农民们勤劳耕作的精神，也象征着在19世纪男权社会中，不容置疑的男性权威和力量。从构图上来看，这个叉与人物椭圆形的脸和人物身后哥特式窗户的线条相呼应。站在他身边的女人一副典型的维多利亚时期女性的装扮，从发型到服饰，甚至到表情，都让人联想起简·爱。同男人一样，女人的表情也不苟言笑，只因那个年代的女性以严谨、矜持、勤劳、克己为美德。她略微站在男人身后，眼睛看向男人，有点“唯他是听”的意味。
关于画中的两个人物的关系，也一直是大家争论不休的话题，到底是一对农场老夫妻还是父亲和女儿？如果是夫妻，很多Iowa农夫的妻子认为这是一副诋毁她们形象的画作；如果是父女，那么男人手里拿着一把叉，到底是表示一个普通耕作的农夫，还是一个不无妒意地赶走女儿追求者的传道夫呢？理解为父女关系的评论家把女儿下巴和颈部的褶皱理解为“老处女的尖锐”，但也有人认为这些褶皱暗示着女儿并不像她的穿着（扣子紧紧封住脖子）那样刻板。
