Sandwiched In with Dennis Raverty - Grant Wood's America

Join award winning teacher and art historian Dennis Raverty as he explores Grant Wood's iconic painting American Gothic of 1930 which has become emblematic of the simple but noble plight of Midwestern farmers during the era of the dust bowl and the Great Depression.  But it also implies a subtle critique of rural life, a proud but often overly exclusionary, conservative and narrow view. Wood's painting thereby shows an affinity with the social realism prevalent in big cities as well as that movement's biting social critique. Wood reveals the lives of quiet desperation lurking behind the social mask of American conformity.

This program is part of the Library's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.