These People Were “Today Years Old” When They Learned These Surprising Facts

The painting American Gothic by artist Grant Wood is probably one of the most iconic works of art in American culture. The popularity of this painting results in plenty of parodies and interpretations over the years, and it seems as if most people who laid eyes on the painting saw it as a portrait of a farmer and his wife.

However, art majors among us know the truth about the iconic painting: Wood didn’t intend on creating a portrait of a farmer and his wife, but a farmer and his daughter. The woman was inspired by the painter’s sister, who served as a model, and the man with the chilling gaze was inspired by the family’s dentist.