Regionalism in American art established itself at the start of the great depression in 1930. With its origin in the Midwest, the concept of regionalism depicted the American Society as rural and simple. This is in direct contrast to the metropolitan-based Realist pieces of art, which conquered the American art scene at the beginning of the century. Regionalism was a completely different aspect from Realism mainly because it did not allow social criticism. Wood’s painting, American Gothic was the center of this concept since it was made at approximately the same time. The painting received hate and love at same proportions with some claiming that it promoted American values while others viewed as a satiric critique. This painting was mooted

Wood’s American Gothic is an oil painting on done on a beaver board measuring 78*65.3 cm found at the Art Institute of Chicago. However, the painting’s origin is Wood’s workshop. were the models for this painting. The woman is clad in colonial like an apron, which brings to mind the Americana of the nineteenth century. In addition, the two people are painted in their respective traditional jobs in front of a house. Indeed, the man has been painted holding a pitchfork that is metaphorical to hard labor while the flowers on the side of the woman’s head suggest domestic aspect associated with women in the 19th century. The other aspect of the painting is the plants found on the porch, which are similar to those in Wood’s earlier paintings about his mother. As much as the translation of the painting was easy, it sparked many debates. Critics could not decipher if the models were husband and wife or father and daughter.

Others viewed it as a farmer and wife on the front of their porch. This viewpoint won as the artist confirmed it. As much as the painting looked superficial, the history behind it proved a lot. Arguments have always existed about the representation of this piece of art with some supposing that it represents the values of Midwestern America. As much as the painting seems satirical, the artist suggested otherwise suggesting that he was a firm believer in Iowa’s value. However, one cannot seem to rebuff the peculiarity of this piece. Indeed, the piece is surrounded. The simplicity of American Gothic inspires a host of interpretations yet the simplicity in style complicates the true representation of the work of art.

American Gothic continues to be among the most famous works of art in the accounts of American art. This painting is a representation of Regionalism, a lobby group, which resisted European abstract art. Instead, they preferred the depiction of Rural American life put in a representational manner. The essence of the painting was to serve as a satire for narrow-mindedness and oppression that used to represent the Midwestern culture at the time. This work of art is also a glorification of the ethical virtues of the American rural areas. Indeed, it is a hazy mix of irony and praise for American culture.