START WITH ART: American Gothic

Good morning, friends! Each day, we embark on a delightful journey through the world of art, uncovering the stories and emotions behind masterpieces from history. Today, we have a beautiful artwork for you to explore—just take a peek below!

Once you’ve had a moment to appreciate it, we invite you to engage the young minds in your life with some thought-provoking questions (listed below in this post). You’ll be amazed at how starting the day with art can spark creativity and inspire critical thinking. Let’s dive in together and see where our imaginations take us!

Title: American Gothic

Artist: Grant Wood

Date: 1930

Medium: Oil on beaver board

Dimensions: 78 × 65.3 cm

Start with Art Questions: 

• What details in their expressions and clothing give you clues about the personalities and lifestyle of the two figures? How do these details reflect life in rural America?

• Notice the architecture of the house in the background. Why do you think the artist chose to highlight the Gothic-style window? How does the house add to the mood of the painting?

• How do you think the two figures would respond if you asked them about their lives? What might their expressions tell you?

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