American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood

American Gothic (1930) — Grant Wood

Flinty pride, front-porch poise. Grant Wood’s American Gothic distils a whole era into one spare, unforgettable image: a stern farmer, a resolute woman, and a Carpenter Gothic house whose pointed window cuts the sky like a sermon. Precision brushwork, cool Midwestern light, and that pitchfork—symbol and silhouette—make this a cultural touchstone that still grips the room.

Why it captivates

• Icon of American art — instantly recognisable, endlessly discussable.

• Quiet intensity — stillness and symmetry that hold your gaze.

• Symbol-rich — the pitchfork, the house, the clothes: plain forms loaded with meaning.

• Masterful craft — enamel-smooth surfaces, crisp contours, immaculate detail.

• Timeless décor — works in modern, farmhouse, or gallery-style interiors.

What you’ll see

A three-tined pitchfork centered like a heraldic device; the farmer’s hard-edged overalls and precise collar studs; the woman’s calico print and cameo; and behind them, the tight geometry of the Gothic window and spired roof. Cool, even light heightens the painting’s sculptural calm.

A richer historical frame

Painted in 1930, American Gothic arrived between regionalist pride and Depression-era tension. Wood drew on Carpenter Gothic architecture he admired in Iowa and posed two local models (his sister Nan Wood Graham and Dr. Byron McKeeby, a Cedar Rapids dentist) to embody a stern, archetypal rural character. The result became a lightning rod—read as satire, homage, or both—and one of the 20th century’s most quoted images.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp detail, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for busy spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

696 × 841 mm (approx. 27.40 × 33.11 in)

• Orientation: Portrait

• Aspect ratio: ~5 : 6

• Nearest standard frame: 70 × 100 cm portrait with a custom mat window cut to ~692 × 837 mm (2–3 mm overlap).

• Framing tips:

  • Classic: warm off-white mat, slim black or walnut moulding.

  • Contemporary: float-mount for a clean shadow gap and plate-edge reveal.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Art lovers & collectors of 20th-century icons

• Designers & stylists curating bold, conversation-starting walls

• Educators & students exploring American art and cultural symbolism

• Gift-givers seeking a classic with edge

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Bring a modern classic home—order your American Gothic print today.