What is American Gothic?

American Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood, from 1930. Portraying a pitchfork-holding man and a woman in front of a house of Carpenter Gothic style, it is one of the most familiar images in 20th century American art. The models, who sat for the painting separately, were the artist's sister, Nan, and his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby. The house is located in Eldon, Iowa. The painting resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.