#6: The Inspiration Behind the Painting
Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” is a true icon of American art, but have you ever wondered who the two people in the painting are? Unlike the popular belief that the man and woman depicted in the painting are a married couple, the man in the painting is Wood’s dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby, and the woman is Wood’s sister, Nan.
provided by constative.com
If you think they look stern and severe, you’re not alone. Dr. McKeeby is sporting a stern expression, complete with a pinched nose and pursed lips, while Nan looks ready to give you a good talking-to. But hey, who am I to judge? Maybe they were having a bad day or trying to look tough for the camera. Either way, “American Gothic” remains one of the most recognizable paintings in American art history.