第三册 Unit 4(大学英语).ppt

3. American Gothic Grant Wood came to Eldon in the late 1920s with fellow artist and Eldon native, John Sharp. He was inspired by the contrast of the modest little one-and-one-half- story frame house with its (as he described it) “pretentious” Gothic style windows. There is one in each gable end. He sketched the house on the back of an envelope and used it as the backdrop in his world-renowned 1930s painting American Gothic. His sister, Nan, and his dentist, Dr. B. H. McKeeby, posed as the sour-faced couple. Wood intended the couple to represent a typical small town resident and his daughter, but most interpret them as man and wife. Since completion, Grant Woods 1930 painting American Gothic has become a critically acclaimed work that continues to enjoy enormous popularity. It also has become an American icon and is the model for a countless number of commercial art parodies, such as posters, cards, and souvenirs. The painting hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.? 4. Buffalo nickel In 1911 sculptor James Earl Fraser began designing the “Buffalo” nickel. Fraser said the portrait on the “heads” side was a composite of three American Indians—Iron Tail, Big Tree and Two Moons. Fraser had the opportunity to study and photograph them when they stopped off in New York on their way to Washington to visit President Theodore Roosevelt. By borrowing features from each individual, Fraser was able to sketch the “ideal” portrait for the nickel.? The model for the “tails” side of the coin was none other than Black Diamond, the most contrary animal in New Yorks Bronx Zoo. He was born of stock donated by the Barnum and Bailey circus. In his prime, his coat was unusually dark, and he weighed more than 1500 pounds.? 5. Uncle Sam Historians arent completely certain how the character “Uncle Sam” was created, or who (if anyone) he was named after.? The prevailing theory is that Uncle Sam was named after Samuel Wilson. Wilson was born in Arlington, Mass., on September 13, 1766. His