Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Osier

Grant Wood, 1920

Name Class Date
Grant Wood, Osier (1920). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Grant Wood originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/grant-wood/
Artist’s dates
1891 – 1942
Painted
1920
Movement
Regionalism American painters turning away from Europe to paint their own small towns and farmland.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Grant Wood died in 1942; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2012.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 28, 2026

Osier — Grant Wood Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Osier — Grant Wood

When was this painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 51 at death.

Painted when the artist was 29. The artist lived to 51. 7 of the 96 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Grant Wood (1891–1942) ▲ this work, 1920 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1924 Main working years: 1924–1938 Late works: from 1938

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #602a25

    Catalogued palette

    • #602A25
    • #A55938
    • #BE9061
    • #893D2C

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Grant Wood over the last twelve months — 62 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 France 17.8%
    2. 2 Italy 15.3%
    3. 3 Spain 11.3%
    4. 4 Japan 5.9%
    5. 5 United States of America 5.6%
    6. 6 Germany 5.0%
    7. 7 China 4.6%
    8. 8 South Korea 2.6%
    9. 9 Denmark 2.2%
    10. 10 Brazil 2.1%
    11. · 52 other countries 27.6%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Grant Wood

    1. 1 American Gothic, 1930 88.3%
    2. 2 Sketch for house in American Gothic, 1930 1.9%
    3. 3 Daughters of Revolution, 1932 1.4%
    4. 4 Spring in the Country, 1941 1.2%
    5. 5 Fall Plowing, 1931 0.9%
    6. 6 The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, 1931 0.5%
    7. 7 Osier, 1920 this painting 0.5%
    8. 8 Spring In Town, 1941 0.3%
    9. 9 Woman with Plants, 1929 0.3%
    10. 10 Arbor Day, 1932 0.3%
    11. 11 Family Doctor, 1940 0.3%
    12. 12 Tame Flowers, 1939 0.3%
    13. 13 Death on the Ridge Road, 1935 0.3%
    14. 14 Portrait of Nan, 1933 0.2%
    15. 15 The Product checker, 1925 0.2%
    16. 16 The Sentimental Folk Song, 1940 0.2%
    17. 17 Sultry Night, 1939 0.2%
    18. 18 The Birthplace of Herbert Hoover, 1931 0.1%
    19. 19 Plaid Sweater, 1931 0.1%
    20. 20 The Appraisal, 1931 0.1%

    Together these works take 97.6% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 98 works by this artist, of which 38 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 7 of them, with 0.5% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 28, 2026

    Osier — Grant Wood Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Osier — Grant Wood

    The painting Osier by Grant Wood is a masterpiece that embodies the essence of Regionalism, a style that emerged in the early 20th century. Created in 1920, this artwork is a testament to Wood's ability to capture the beauty of the American Midwest.

    Description and Style

    Osier is a landscape painting that features a tree with branches and leaves in red hues, set against a natural backdrop. The tree appears to be dead or dying, yet it exudes a sense of tranquility and serenity. The use of earthy tones, such as warm browns and muted greens, adds depth and texture to the painting. The brushstrokes are lively and dynamic, characteristic of Regionalism, which emphasizes the importance of capturing the everyday life and landscape of rural America.

    Artist and Movement

    Grant Wood was a prominent American painter who played a significant role in the development of Regionalism. His works often depicted the rural American Midwest, showcasing its beauty and simplicity. Osier is one of his notable works, which demonstrates his ability to convey the essence of the natural world through his use of color and light.

    The painting is available for purchase as a handmade oil painting reproduction on AllPaintingsStore.com.

    More information about Grant Wood and his works can be found on Wikipedia.

    Regionalism is a style that emphasizes the importance of capturing the everyday life and landscape of rural America.

    Handmade oil painting reproductions of Osier can be purchased on AllPaintingsStore.com, which offers a wide range of artworks by famous artists, including Grant Wood. The website provides a unique opportunity to own a piece of art history, with each reproduction carefully crafted by skilled artists.

    The beauty of Osier lies in its ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and appreciation for the natural world. As a masterpiece of Regionalism, it continues to inspire art lovers and collectors alike, offering a glimpse into the simplicity and beauty of rural America.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 28, 2026

    Osier — Grant Wood Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Grant Wood

    Born in Anamosa, United States of America

    Early Life and Career

    Grant DeVolson Wood, an American painter, was born on February 13, 1891, in rural Iowa. His life changed dramatically after the death of his father in 1901, when his mother relocated the family to Cedar Rapids. Wood began his artistic journey as an apprentice in a local metal shop before enrolling at the Handicraft Guild in Minneapolis in 1910—an art school notable for being run by women and focused on the Arts and Crafts movement.

    Artistic Influences and Style

    Wood’s art was deeply influenced by Jan van Eyck, the 15th-century Flemish master renowned for his precise and luminous technique. This meticulous clarity became a hallmark of Wood’s own style, best exemplified in his most celebrated work, American Gothic. As a leading figure in the American Regionalism movement—a style emphasizing the realistic depiction of rural and small-town America—Wood developed a uniquely American voice that combined European craftsmanship with Midwestern authenticity.

    Notable Works and Contributions

    American Gothic (1930): A defining image of 20th-century American art, often compared to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Edvard Munch’s The Scream for its cultural resonance. The Stone City Art Colony (1932): Founded by Wood near his hometown, the colony provided vital support for artists during the Great Depression. University of Iowa School of Art (1934–1941): As a teacher, Wood inspired a generation of artists to find beauty and meaning in the familiar landscapes of the American Midwest.

    Legacy and Later Life

    Grant Wood passed away on February 12, 1942, at the age of 51, due to pancreatic cancer. His estate was left to his sister, Nan Wood Graham—immortalized as the female figure in American Gothic. Today, his personal belongings and many of his works are preserved at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. Wood’s devotion to portraying the dignity of everyday American life continues to influence artists and scholars worldwide.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Grant Wood originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/grant-wood/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Osier

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Wood, Grant. Osier. 1920, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/
    APA
    Wood, Grant (1920). Osier [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/
    Chicago
    Grant Wood. Osier. 1920. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/
    Harvard
    Wood, Grant (1920) Osier. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/grant-wood-osier-8XY5V7-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 28, 2026

    Osier — Grant Wood Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Osier — Grant Wood

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at American Gothic (1930), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Regionalism: American painters turning away from Europe to paint their own small towns and farmland. Where can you see that in this work?
    5. Grant Wood was about 29 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 28, 2026

    Osier — Grant Wood Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    How is the color composition of "Osier" by Grant Wood built?

    The color composition of "Osier" by Grant Wood combines a serene contrast with a unified palette harmony.

    What aliases or alternate names does Grant Wood have?

    Grant Wood is also known as Grant DeVolson Wood.

    How do I discover artworks close to "Osier" by Grant Wood?

    Artworks similar to "Osier" by Grant Wood are gathered on the artwork's Similars page.