Grant Wood, American Gothic Painter

Grant Wood (1891 -1942) is one of the best-known and most revered American artists of the 20th century. His American Gothic painting is iconic. Some critics derided his regionalist art as influenced by pernicious political theories. Others saw hints of sly camp humor impacted by Woods closeted homosexuality. Fast Facts: Grant Wood Occupation: PainterStyle: RegionalismBorn: February 13, 1891 in Anamosa, IowaDied: February 12, 1942 in Iowa City, IowaSpouse: Sara Maxon (m. 1935-1938)Selected Works: American Gothic (1930), Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (1931), Parson Weems Fable (1939)Notable Quote: All the good ideas I ever had came to me while I was milking a cow. Early Life and Career Born in rural Iowa, Grant Wood spent much of his childhood on a farm. His father died suddenly in 1901 when Grant was ten years old. Following the death, his mother moved their family to the small nearby city of Cedar Rapids. Along with his older brother, Grant Wood took odd jobs to help provide financial support for their family. Wood showed an interest in drawing and painting while attending Cedar Rapids public schools. He submitted his work to a national competition in 1905 and won third place. The success cemented his determination to be a professional artist. Grant Woods boyhood home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bill Whittaker / Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons 3.0 While in high school, Grant Wood began designing stage sets with fellow artist Marvin Cone and began volunteering at the Cedar Rapids Art Association, which later became the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Following high school graduation, Wood took a summer course at the Minneapolis School of Design and Handicraft in Minnesota. He also took art classes at the University of Iowa. In 1913, Grant Wood moved to Chicago, making jewelry to support himself and his night classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Following the failure of his jewelry business, Wood returned to Cedar Rapids in 1916 and worked as a home builder and decorator to support his mother and his youngest sister, Nan. Rise to Prominence After World War I ended in 1919, Grant Wood took a position teaching art at a local Cedar Rapids middle school. The new income helped finance a trip to Europe in 1920 to study European art. In 1925, Wood left his teaching position to focus on art full time. Following a third trip to Paris in 1926, he decided to focus on the common elements of life in Iowa in his art, making him a regionalist artist. Residents of Cedar Rapids embraced the young artist and offered jobs designing stained glass windows, executing commissioned portraits, and creating home interiors. In the wake of national recognition for his paintings, Grant Wood helped form the Stone City Art Colony in 1932 with gallery director Edward Rowan. It was a group of artists who resided near Cedar Rapids in a village of whitewashed, tidy wagons. The artists also taught classes at nearby Coe College. Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (1931). Francis G. Mayer / Getty Images American Gothic In 1930, Grant Wood submitted his painting American Gothic to a show at the Art Institute of Chicago. It depicts, presumably, a farming couple, either married or a father and daughter, standing in front of their frame house with a large gothic window. The models for the couple were Grant Woods dentist and his younger sister, Nan. The Chicago Evening Post published an image of American Gothic two days before the show, and it became practically an overnight sensation. Newspapers across the country reproduced the image, and the Art Institute of Chicago bought the painting for their permanent collection. Initially, many Iowans criticized the work thinking that Grant Wood depicted them as grim-faced Puritans. However, some saw it as satire, and Wood insisted that it represented his appreciation for Iowa. American Gothic (1930). GraphicaArtis / Getty Images American Gothic remains one of the most iconic American paintings of the 20th century. Countless parodies from Gordon Parks stunning 1942 photo American Gothic, Washington, D.C. to the closing image of the opening credits for the 1960s TV show Green Acres are a testament to the enduring power of the portrait. Later Career Grant Wood painted most of his key works in the 1930s, including 1931s Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,—a theatrically-lit depiction of Henry Wadsworth Longfellows legendary poem—, and 1939s unique take on the George Washington cherry tree legend in Parson Weems Fable. During the period, he also taught art at the University of Iowa. By the end of the decade, he was one of the most famous American artists. Parson Weems Fable (1939). Amon Carter Museum / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain Unfortunately, the final three years of Grant Woods life and career were rife with frustration and controversy. His ill-considered marriage, according to his friends, ended in the late 1930s. Lester Longman, a devotee of European-led avant-garde modern art, became the chair of the art department at the University of Iowa. After clashes with Wood and public efforts to discredit him, the universitys most famous artist left his position in 1941. Later investigations discovered that rumors of homosexuality also drove some of the efforts to remove him from the university faculty. In 1941, just as it seemed that some of the controversies were settling down, Grant Wood received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He died a few months later in February 1942. Legacy For many casual observers of art, Grant Wood remains one of the most popular and revered of 20th-century American artists. Along with Thomas Hart Benton, Wood is one of the most prominent of American regionalist painters. However, the controversies that began at the University of Iowa have raised questions about his reputation since. Some critics dismissed regionalism as inspired by fascist and communist principles. Daughters of Revolution (1932). Francis G. Mayer / Getty Images Art historians also continue to reevaluate Grant Woods art in the light of his closeted homosexuality. Some see the satire and double meanings in his work as part of the camp humor sensibility in gay culture. Sources Evans, R. Tripp. Grant Wood: A Life. Knopf, 2010.Haskell, Barbara. Grant Wood: American Gothic and Other Fables. Whitney Museum of American Art, 2018.

Stem Cell Essay - 1310 Words

The logical history of foundational microorganism may be explored as it has unfolded in the course of recent years; and after this, it will swing to a thought of the political history of undifferentiated organism look into. There has been a relentless pattern of researchers progressively taking in the privileged insights of stem cells and having the capacity to apply their new learning to either look into potential medications or really convey powerful medicines to people. In 2001, Bush issued an official request that put huge limitations on government financing for undeveloped cell look into; and in 2009, Obama canceled this request with his very own request called Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research involving Human†¦show more content†¦Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are able to grow (i.e. differentiate) into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. In other words, they can develop into each of t he more than 200 cell types of the adult body as long as they are specified to do so. Embryonic stem cells are distinguished by two distinctive properties: their pluripotency, and their ability to replicate indefinitely. ES cells are pluripotent, that is, they are able to differentiate into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm (Science Daily). Amongst grown-up and embryonic undifferentiated cells, obviously embryonic undeveloped cell look into has far more noteworthy potential to be morally tricky than grown-up stem cells inquire about because of the distinction in convictions of individuals. Nonetheless, embryonic stem cells inquire about is largely considered to have the best potential for conveying restorative and logical achievements, since they are more manipulatable since they are not completely created and undifferentiated than grown-up foundational microorganisms. The embryonic undifferentiated organisms are helpful for therapeut ic and research purposes since they can create cells for practically every tissue in the body. This shows the the two separate ways researchers create stem cells on the right. On the left we see a timescale of theShow MoreRelatedStem Cells Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pageshas provided us with a hope for these diseases. This essay will address the issue of controversial research in stem cells. This technology offers hope to millions who are victims of a multitude of diseases and disorders. It can be used to regrow limbs, create organs, attack genetic diseases, treat malfunctioning bladders, etc. However, this same technology is also one of the most controversial debates in science today. If you type â€Å"stem cells research† into your Google search bar, you will most likelyRead MoreStem Cells Essay1530 Words   |  7 Pages Stem cells are used every day throughout the United States to help cure diseases and save lives. 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The formation of the necrotic myocardium causesRead MoreStem Cell Essay1061 Words   |  5 Pagestreated with the use of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells derived from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of human embryo. In simpler terms, these cells have the ability of developing into any of the two hundred different cell types in our bodies. Unlike most of the cells in our bodies, such as heart cells or skin cells, which conduct a specific function, a stem cell does not have a specific function until it is specialized (Hogan). A stem cell that is becoming specialized willRead More Stem Cells Es say1128 Words   |  5 PagesEmbryonic Stem Cells â€Å"Embryonic stem cells...are in effect, a human self-repair kit,† (Christopher Reeve, activist – Larry King show). For the advancement of science, stem cells are infinitely valuable, especially when considering all the potential applications in the field of medicine. Stem cell usage is a very controversial topic, because most people think of abortions, cloning, and other negative topics when they hear the term stem cell. However I think those thoughts are because they don’tRead More Stem Cells Essay4600 Words   |  19 Pages Stem cells are a large focus of study in today’s biomedical world. They are cells that exist in an undifferentiated state, and transform into differing tissue types depending on what the cells surrounding them are. The different types of stem cells have the ability to repair many classes of damaged human tissue. However, only one type of stem cell promises to regenerate virtually any class of tissue. This is the highly controversial embryonic stem cell (ESC). 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Stem cells get their name from the fact that they are basic cells that other cells develop from. They are capable of developing into a wide range of cells. Stem cells could potentiallyRead MoreEssay on Stem Cells2831 Words   |  12 Pages What is a stem cell? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Stem cells have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. They are best described in the context of normal human development. Human development begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg and creates a single cell that has the potential to form an entire organism. This fertilized egg is totipotent, meaning that its potential is total. In the first hours after fertilization, this cell divides intoRead More Stem Cell Essay1406 Words   |  6 Pagesothers. Research in the use of stem cells holds limitless possibilities in the medical field. Stem cells are the cells in our bodies that are in their primitive form. These cells have not yet become the type of cell they are destined to be, whether it be nervous tissue or another. However, even though stem cell research is a great new field, its progress is being limited by moral concerns and ethical questions. In order to let medicine reach its full potential, stem cell research should be legalized

The Greenwich Association For Retarded Citizens (g Essay Example For Students

The Greenwich Association For Retarded Citizens (g Essay .a.r.c.) Of GreenwicThe Greenwich Association for Retarded Citizens (G.A.R.C.) of Greenwich HighThe Greenwich Association for Retarded Citizens (G.A.R.C.) of GreenwichHigh is a group of students interested in interacting with disabled students. These students go to the high school as well, and look forward to getting toknow us. Each of the students have different disabilities but they each havethe desire to make friends. This group is totally volunteer basis for all ofits members, no one has to attend. I have been a member of this group for thethree years I have attended in Greenwich High. Spending a lot of time withthese children I have learned to understand that they are just looking to makefriends. I joined this group as a freshman because I had worked with childrenwith Down Syndrome during the eighth grade at Central Middle School. Myinterest carried on through out the years because of the numerous fun times Ihave had, and have made friends with many of the girls. They are all verypersonable and pleasant to talk with. They each have special characteristicsdefining them from the others, making each of them special in different ways,just like the rest us. Aside from the meetings that we have every so often to discussactivities we can do, we usually do fun and interesting activities. We go outfor pizza frequently because it seems to be the group consensus on what we wouldall like to eat. During the holidays we celebrate in interesting ways; onHalloween we have a party where every one gets dressed and brings candy. Forthe Christmas season we are going to celebrate with a party at a members houseand listen to Christmas carols, and have dinner. We have had bake sales andhave sold candy in order to raise money for the clubs activities. These areusually a success because every one participates and we all seem to functionwell as a group. When there are dances or football games at school we each takeone of the girls and its good for them because they get to interact with therest of the school at a big function. This club is not only fun, but its like going to a meeting with some ofyour friends. We are a small group and we all get along. Since we are a smallgroup it is also difficult for us to do a lot of things. It is difficult toeducate the larger part of the public who doesnt know what these kids are like. It is also hard to raise money to do many activities. It would be great if morekids would join each year, and it would be great if the ignorance level hadlowered. Many students just dont want to know anything of these kids. I choseto discuss G.A.R.C. because it is a group that could use help from the communityat Greenwich high, and I thought I could help by explaining exactly what we do. Why talk about something else, when I could tell of something I enjoy and thatneeds more attention.