Grant Wood's image of a nude bathing in a rural landscape was initially planned for an edition of 250, the same number of prints set for his previous five editions with Associated American Artists. This Depression-era enterpise sold prints by subscription, marketing them as accessible works for first-time art buyers and shipping them to households across the United States. However the remaining balance of prints in this edition were never published, as the Postmaster General forced the gallery to removed this print from sale and circulation on charges of obscenity. Due to the Post Office controversy, Sultry Night remains one of the rarest prints by Wood. The artist's large-scale painted version of the scene was also cut down to eliminate the male figure on the left. It has been suggested that model for this figure was Wood's colleague at the University of Iowa, Eric Knight, who roomed with the artist during the summer months.