American Gothic Washington By Gordon Parks

When we look at a painting or a photograph in a gallery or a museum, we start wondering what its real meaning and what the artist wanted to tell us through his art. One of these photographs is called American Gothic Washington, D. C., shot by Gordon Parks in 1942. Gordon Parks was the first African-American photographer for Life and Vogue magazines and was a self-taught artist, and he shot this photo on his first day of work at the Farm Security Administration in Washington D.C.. This photo has been named after the famous 1930 painting by Grant Wood. The original painting was about a farmer and his daughter, both wearing a highly detailed, polished style from the Midwestern country. Wood wanted through his painting to focus on the good rural American values and send an image of encouragement at a time of disruption and disappointment. During 1942, African Americans were rising the “Double V” campaign for democracy both at home and aboard. All African Americans who have fought in the war or at home were harshly discriminated, but this campaign whether at home or aboard gained a huge support. Parks said that he was discriminated three times on the day he shot the photo, and out of anger, he created it.
The wall behind Ella is big enough that can hold a big a flag which seems it belongs a big building like a federal building. Ella is standing in front of the flag in a federal building which indicates that she wanted to send a message to the viewers, that African Americans are partners in this country, and the United States would not be the same without their contribution to this country. Emma, also stands in the middle of the flag and exactly in the middle of the dark and light stripes as a sign of protesting and seems like she wanted to say that despite her skin color, she feels that African Americans are equal, and they have rights to live and work in this