美国哥特式

1922–1928

Four trips to Europe: the Impressionists and Van Eyck

Between 1922 and 1928 Wood made four trips to Europe, studying many styles of painting, especially Impressionism and Post-Impressionism; it was the 15th-century Flemish artist Jan van Eyck who influenced him most, giving him the clarity of technique that he brought into his new work.

1924–1935

“5 Turner Alley”: a studio in a carriage-house hayloft

From 1924 to 1935 Wood lived with his mother in the hayloft of a carriage house in Cedar Rapids that he had converted into his personal studio; it had no address until Wood made one up: “5 Turner Alley”.

1928

Munich: stained-glass windows for the Veterans Memorial

In 1928 Wood travelled to Munich to oversee the making of the stained-glass windows he had designed for the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids.

1930

“American Gothic” in Chicago: a $300 prize

The painting was first exhibited in 1930 at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it still hangs; it won a $300 prize and made news stories nationwide, bringing Wood immediate recognition.

1930s

Helps Curry and Benton return to the Midwest

John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton, who with Wood are the artists most associated with Regionalism, returned to the Midwest thanks to his encouragement; he helped them find teaching positions at colleges, Curry in Wisconsin and Benton in Missouri.

1932

Helps found the Stone City Art Colony

In 1932 Wood helped found the Stone City Art Colony near his hometown to help artists get through the Great Depression.