The Real-Life Models of 'American Gothic'
Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, it is one of the most famous paintings by an American artist. After an inspiration-seeking trip to Iowa, artist Grant Wood created American Gothic, an oil on beaverboard painting of a home with "the kind of people I fancied should live in that house".
The models? None other than the people in this rare photo from the early 1940's taken during a showing of the painting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Wood first created it 12 years prior.
Left is Wood's sister, Nan Wood Graham. Right is Dr. Byron McKeeby, Wood's dentist.
Fun Fact: Contrary to popular opinion, the painting isn't meant to portray a 1930's husband & wife, but rather a father & daughter.