Final answer:
During the Great Depression, American Scene painters like Grant Wood abandoned abstraction in favor of Regionalism, a movement that reflected the era's need for positivity and aligned with conservative American values. Grant Wood's 'American Gothic' depicted stable, traditional values, embodying self-reliance and national pride, resonating with the public more than abstract art.
Step-by-step explanation:
American Scene painters like Grant Wood abandoned abstraction during the Great Depression because the country was in a state of extremity that required a more positive, hopeful art. This movement, known as Regionalism, provided images that were in line with the democratic ideals of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and also carried a nationalistic quality.
Grant Wood's American Gothic is a prime example of this shift and is often said to reflect conservative American values by portraying stoic, strong American figures. These figures embody the spirit of self-reliance and the importance of agricultural work which were significant values during that period. The painting's depiction of a farmer and his daughter (frequently misinterpreted as his wife) in front of a rural American gothic house suggests stability and a return to traditional values amidst the chaos of the Great Depression.
Regionalism and paintings like American Gothic connected with audiences by depicting familiar scenes that evoked a sense of national pride and identity, providing a contrasting vision to abstract art which was perceived as less accessible to the general public during this time of crisis.