How American Gothic became an icon

How did American Gothic go from third place painting to icon? There's a story to this famous painting.
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Grant Wood's American Gothic is a classic painting. But to understand its fame, you have to learn some context about how it became an icon.
When Grant Wood painting his sister and dentist in front of a house in Eldon, Iowa, he didn't know his painting would become iconic. But American Gothic soon became the subject of countless homages and parodies.
Wood's place in American art history is unique - and worth knowing to truly appreciate American Gothic.
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[@Tinomentoll]

So essentially American Gothic is a 1930's meme

[@d34dch1n4d0ll]

So back in the day, Mr.Wood created his own meme?

[@larrytraber]

Vox.. Making me care about things I don't care about

[@TheRockerX]

Vox: Giving you useful information you didn't know you needed.

[@johnl.7754]

I think it is important to note the $300 in 1930 is worth around $4300 today. With the Great Depression starting already it might have not been seen as a small amount.

[@pollymahone9392]

I see this painting EVERYWHERE

[@SWLinPHX]

When I was little I always thought those two people were miserable and probably mean to kids, LOL.

[@SSSupCreeper]

so it was a meme

[@animec-dramaskpop6362]

Wait a minute...he made his sister look like that so people

[@erinthesystem9608]

I learned in an Art History class that the woman who is pictured was ACTUALLY intended to represent the man's unmarried, maiden daughter (rather than his wife). This would account for their differences both in age and in expression. Gives new meaning to that pitchfork, doesn't it?

[@mayfly6423]

I grew up in Iowa and I did a whole book report on Grant Wood and American Gothic. Idk why but I felt like sharing that.

[@koh9277]

I don't think it's overrated just because it picked up on societal conflicts of the time, art is supposed to express an idea, and if so many people identified the idea grant wood expressed, then I think that does make it great art

[@escapefromtibet2530]

I really start to like this new format.

[@AngryKittens]

That plain white painting is overrated. This is art.

[@AndrewWigley]

Weren't you guys just defending a white canvas last week?

[@jaridkeen123]

Why is it called Gothic when it's not gothic?

[@ERS2000]

I think the fact that it can be parodied from time to time is what keeps it relevant.

[@greygalah]

I love his self-portrait. He really was talented.

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

The video doesn’t explain how the painting became visible enough to become famous.

[@rishithsinha]

A perfect video for this series would've been on the Mona Lisa, but Vox has already covered that.