“Approaching Storm,” created by Grant Wood in 1940, is a lithographic artwork that embodies the Regionalism art movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. The artwork portrays a compelling rural scene with a palpable tension as dark clouds gather overhead, signaling an impending storm.
In this lithograph, Grant Wood draws attention to the resilience of the human spirit amidst the challenges posed by nature. Central to the composition is a farmer attempting to stack what seems to be hay or straw into bundles, presumably in preparation for the incoming storm. His strenuous effort and focused expression emphasize the urgent need to secure the harvest. In the background, additional figures are seen engaged in similar activities, exemplifying collective effort. The ominous, billowing clouds dominate the upper part of the artwork, casting a dramatic shadow over the landscape. The work captures the quintessential characteristics of Regionalism by depicting everyday rural life and the profound connection between people and their environment.
