Why is the painting named American Gothic?

Answer 1

Religious Symbolism in the Painting: American Gothic by: S Kelsey Imagine a painting that at the same time is dour yet richly symbolic. Grant Wood's, American Gothic painted in 1930, captures the essence of this contradiction. At first glance there seems little dramatic appeal to this painting of a farmer and his wife. The colors of the painting are drab with a mixture of mostly blacks and browns. The focus of this artwork also seems depressing with the heartbreaking faces of the couple and their farmhouse. Despite the dull nature of the artwork, it is alive with deep religious symbolism. The elements of the farmer, his wife, the house, their clothing, the background, and the foreground are contrasts of the religious lifestyle. Jawaharlal Nehru shares an insight that applies to the painting, American Gothic. He notes, "The art of people is a true mirror to their minds." If this sentiment is true, then American Gothic is a field work of America's religious heritage. From corner to corner of the canvas each component of the artwork speaks dramatically to the Christian belief system. There are four essentials at the center of the painting, the farmer, the house, his wife, and a pitchfork. The farmer stands taller than the wife and looks directly at the viewer with stern, penetrating eyes; this suggests a no nonsense life. His jaw is firm, assuring the viewer that there is no sin or laughter spoken by the farmer. To the viewer's left and a small step behind the farmer is his Puritan faced wife, clearly not his equal. She looks slightly away and downward suggesting an awkward sadness. Her neck is stiff, with almost tearful eyes. At the center of the painting, and directly behind the couple, is their farmhouse. Dramatically positioned between the couples heads, is the gothic styled window, implying a religious home. At the center of the window the wooden framework forms a crucifixion cross, and its shadow is picked up in the curtains. The window peaks at the top, pointing heavenward, and connecting with the divine. The roof line points directly down from its apex to the farmer's head and also the head of his wife. This suggests a line of influence from heaven. The house is compact, indicating no waste, but strong, speaking to durability. Noticeably, at the center of the painting, and almost separating the couple, is the farmer's pitchfork. On the surface, it would appear to be the basic tool of a farmer, and symbolic of hard work, and masculinity, but at another level, one could suggest an evil, and a weapon of the devil. Additionally, religious symbolism can be found in the pitchfork which has three prongs, is this the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? The silhouette of the pitchfork is captured in both the farmer's overalls and collarless shirt, protecting his heart. The farmer's shirt is white, emblematic of purity, covered by the black jacket, customary of a preacher. The farmer wears horn rimmed glasses, implying a thoughtful Bible reader. The wife wears an apron speaking to her domestic role. But note that the tight bun of the wife's hair has a strand breaking loose almost in subtle defiance. Again the farmer looks straight at the viewer indicating no excuses for sin, is that true of the farmer's wife? To the left of the wife, on the house's porch, are plants, hopeful for growth. Also above the wife's head is a small patch of green treetops. As the trees can grow, perhaps so can the dreams of the wife. Almost imperceptible coming out of the trees appears to be the steeple of the small town's church. To the side of the farmer is the red barn, this is man's work, earned from the sweat of the brow. The sky is a light, empty blue settling into the twilight of the day with associated fatigue. Returning to the astute observation of Jawaharlal Nehru, that the art of people is a true mirror to their minds, finds a particular home in the painting, American Gothic. When he uses the words "a people", this painting does represent images of the early American experience, the rigged farm life. He also selects the word "true". Could one see the beauty of American Gothic in the light of something other then religious symbolism? This painting could speak of the simple yet rugged farm life and nothing more. It could also be symbolic of the foundation of America's early beginning. Or the painter could have simply enjoyed the architecture of the house and the simplicity of the farmer and his wife. Perhaps what is true is in the eye of the viewer. Nehru indicates that art is a "mirror" of ones experience. American Gothic, very much seems mirror, with the images looking right back at the viewer. This seems to capture not only the reflective element of symbolism, but that of a literal mirror. Lastly, the word "minds" is offered. This poses the question, is religion a thing of the mind, or of the heart, or the soul, or some combination of these three elements? American Gothic, does stimulate a search for symbolism and the religious connotation seems appropriate On the surface of life, as on the quick glance of the painting, existence seems pointless. As one searches deeper into the point of life and into the painting, a rugged religious framework emerges. The farmer is symbolic of the hardworking, stoic, American religionist, with a domestic, supportive, but fatigued wife. American Gothic is rich with religious symbolism. Work Cited Mather, P., and R. McCarthy. The Art of Critical Reading. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.