AMERICAN GOTHIC HOUSE | Trip Report 07.16.10
Today we venture to Eldon, Iowa to the American Gothic House.
What is American Gothic? It is the 2nd most famous painting in the world
behind the Mona Lisa.
The museum itself had some neat displays. This one discussed how
the painting is one of the most parodied images in the modern world.
Here is a display of some of the parodies in the commerical world.
Even cartoon characters get in the act of parodying the painting.
The two people in the painting were based on Wood's (the painter) sister
and his dentist. The two did not meet until after the painting was finished.
A little known fact about the painting is that while it appears to be
a "realist" painting, it is actually a "constructed" photo, meaning it
takes different elements and puts them together into one image.
A very interesting wood carving of the painting.
Display discussing the impact of American Gothic on society and the arts.
Parodies of American Gothic in the food industry.
