American Gothic, Washington, D.C.
Gordon Parks · 1942
Why it's great
Ella Watson, a cleaning woman at a government office, stands with a mop and broom in front of an American flag in 1942. Gordon Parks, then a young photographer on his first assignment for the government, named it American Gothic as a tribute to Grant Wood's painting.
🏛️ Part of history
The Great Depression (1929–1939) — Ella Watson, a cleaning woman at a government office, stands with a mop and broom in front of an American flag in 1942.
Where to see it
📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.
Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Gordon Parks was an American photographer born in Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912. He started as a government photographer, then worked for Life magazine, wrote books and directed the film Shaft. He lived in New York and died there in 2006.
