The artwork, entitled “Arnold Comes of Age,” was created by Grant Wood in 1930. It is an oil painting on wood, belonging to the Regionalism art movement and classified within the portrait genre.
In this artwork, a young man stands in the foreground with a solemn expression, dominating the composition. He is dressed in a dark, simple sweater over a white collared shirt, projecting an aura of somber maturity. The background of the painting reveals a pastoral landscape, featuring subdued warm tones, trees with sparse foliage, and a serene body of water. The landscape is rendered in a manner suggestive of the Regionalism movement, emphasizing rural American life. The contrast between the young man’s dark attire and the earthy tones of the background highlights his figure and draws the viewer’s attention to his contemplative demeanor, encapsulating the essence of coming of age.
