Booklist
This satisfying album by a set of art historians recounts the life and appraises the work and reputation of artist Grant Wood (1891-1942). Indelibly branded as a Depression-era American regionalist in the company of John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton, Wood had a more varied background than that label would imply. In the biographical chapter, Joni Kinsey explains that Wood was influenced early by the arts-and-crafts movement, succeeded by his interest in impressionism, which he emulated on painting trips to Europe. On one 1928 journey, Wood radically changed his style. Returning to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wood developed his signature look of semisurreal objectivity and produced his most significant paintings in a burst of creativity. Analyzed by Wanda Corn, who thankfully finds a proportionate place for American Gothic, the core of Wood's oeuvre is reproduced in color plates, opening to viewers the tension between satire and affection apparent in Wood's approach to his usually rural subjects. Bound to be popular with browsers. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
San Diego-Union-Tribune, October 2005
"A handsome, large format volume."
