American Gothic

Having had dinner at One if By Land on Barrow Street in New York was a visual as well as gustatory treat. The ambience was magnificent. Over the bar was a copy of the Grant Wood painting, “The Ride of Paul Revere.” It reminded me of the more famous Grant Wood Painting, “American Gothic,” you know the one of the man in overalls with pitchfork and his dour wife by his side. What most dentists may recall, and what most of the public seems unaware, is that the models for Woods painting were Wood’s dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby (1867–1950)  from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and  the artist’s sister, Nan.Man and woman with stern expession stand side-by-side. The man holds a pitch fork.