Who the People In Famous Paintings Actually Were
Ever wonder about the identity of the woman posing for the Mona Lisa, or think about the life of the “farmers” depicted in American Gothic? Check out who the people in these 12 famous paintings actually were. Artists Leonardo da Vinci, Andrew Wyeth, and Grant Wood get all the acclaim for their priceless works of art. But what about the models that inspired those artists? It’s rare to ever hear their stories. Perhaps the models were artists, as well? Maybe they were the artist’s secret lover? Or, could it be in some cases that the model is actually the artist doing a disguised self-portrait?
Be sure to subscribe to the Weird History Newsletter: https://www.ranker.com/newsletters/weird-history?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=WeirdHistory&utm_campaign=WHnewsletters&utm_content=description_box
#painting #arthistory #weirdhistory
@sharioverend1618
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
How's Mona Lisa since the soup attack?
@sharioverend1618
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I'll impress my friends and family when I steal these
@TheKoolbraider
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
It's generally accepted that the figure of the wife in the Arnolfini is not from life. She had died in childbirth. Amazingly, there is an existing letter from her mother about that. The candle in the candelabra above her head has been snuffed out. And it's a more stylized version of a woman whereas the man is definitely portrayed realistically.
@IrishMike22
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
The lady looking at the 2 buildings on the farm…aaaaaand I'm a jerk cuz I was gonna make a joke but turns out she's handicapped and I'm going to hell. Dammit.
@alexaales7937
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
so does the word 'gross' come from the 'gross clinic' painting? cause it IS kinda gross 🙂
@omoplatagaming5348
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
We want you to check juan lunas painting
@NumNumbat
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I'd heard on visiting the Ophelia painting that the woman not only became ill, but developed a laudanum addiction afterwards.
@pantera9442
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Hi! I work in the Tretyakov gallery, and it would be very interesting for me to know more stories about art. Thanks for your video, btw, you’ve got a very pleasant pronunciation 😌
@DustyB
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I’m loving this art centered video
@Queensbard
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I always enjoy your content. This time there are just a couple of corrections it needs – namely the Arnofili Potrait & Madam X.
The Arnofili Portrait was painted a year after his wife died & is widely believed to be a memorial to her. The expertly placed mirror with the depictions of the passions of Christ supports the belief. On the man's side are the scenes of the living Christ. Whereas the scenes of his death and resurrection are on the woman's side.
Madam X's portrait is a little spicier than a loose strap. In the unmodified picture the strap wasn't just loose. The strap had actually slipped off her shoulder & rested on her arm. Although he changed the name of the potrait, it was too late. Virginie was a well known member of high society. It completely ruined her reputation & the painter left the country.
If you like this type of content, you need to check out Art Deco's channel. It's where I learned all this stuff.
@lisathokozani
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
The narrator should never reveal his face. Its better this way 😊
@lisathokozani
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
The narrator should never reveal his face. Its better this way 😊
@gaya542
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Him saying it "the best thing I've done" sounds like something a fratboy would text with the picture to his friend.
@annikasmith732
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I would loooove a deep dive into the Pre-Raphaelites and the story of Siddal’s grave robbing for Dante’s book of poems
@nmoney6655
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
You heard someone threw cake at the painting
@Oilerpa
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
You should ask Netflix for a TV show. I can watch your vids for hours. and i hated History class 🤣🤣🤣
@VanceMeme1999
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
As a kid I thought the couple in American Gothic were so unattractive. As an adult I appreciate the art itself but still, very unfortunate looking people
@PeerwasNOPE
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
6:53 that one there is a violation
@_luckicharms
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Really interesting subject!!
@mezipe6429
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
No blue boy? No pinkie painting? Come on!
@mayln163
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Very interesting. Please make a part two.
@weareallblinded
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
❤❤
@aliceinmansonland448
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I hope there's more of these! I'd especially love to see Francis Bacon's art trivia, the dude is a legend in my book!
@Maxamander3008
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
When I though this narrator was a semi-smart fully annoying white guy I didn’t think much of this channel. For some reason when I saw his real face I immediately liked this channel much more and I subscribed. Strange part is I’m a semi-smart fully annoying white guy. 🧐🤔🤷🏼♂️
@philsophkenny
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
😮
@sarak5148
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Favorite video, ever
@Avedis-G
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Extremely interesting and very well done on all fronts!
@kevinrivas48
February 11, 2026 at 3:11 pm
I just love his sense of humor, it makes it more fun to watch and also learn at the same time
Comments are closed.