This is the last week the most famous painting by Iowa’s most famous artist will be in the state before it returns home to Chicago. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has extended it’s exhibit of Grant Wood’s work through January, but spokesperson Katie Mills says the painting that vaulted Wood to fame will be leaving. She says the painting “American Gothic” will have to go back to the Art Institute of Chicago after December 4th.
Mills says Wood’s painting “Young Corn” will replace American Gothic in the exhibit. American Gothic has been in Iowa on loan for the exhibit which highlighted the 10-year period when Wood lived in his studio in downtown Cedar Rapids. She says the response “has been amazing, at times overwhelming,” with over seven thousand visitors to the exhibit this weekend.
Mills says American Gothic has led people to learn more about Wood’s overall work. Mills says people initially stand for bit in front of American Gothic and then move on and take in some of the other pieces that aren’t as well know. Mills says they’ll have a special going away party for the painting of the sour faced woman and the man with his pitchfork. She says Friday they’ll be open from eight p.m. until midnight to say good-bye to American Gothic.
Along with that special good-bye — the exhibit will be open from 10 A.M. until six p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 A.M. until seven p.m. Thursday, and noon until six p.m. on Sunday.