description Christina's World Overview
Christina's World is a 1948 tempera painting by Andrew Wyeth, held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It depicts Anna Christina Olson lying in a field and looking toward a weathered farmhouse in Maine; Olson had a condition that severely limited her mobility. Wyeth used a low viewpoint, sparse landscape, and meticulously worked tempera surface to create a psychologically charged scene without directly illustrating a specific narrative.
insights Ranking position
Christina's World ranks #73 of 160 in the Painting ranking, behind Ophelia, ahead of Still Life with Apples and Oranges.
help Christina's World FAQ
Who is the woman in Christina's World?
The figure was inspired by Anna Christina Olson, Andrew Wyeth's neighbor in Cushing, Maine. Olson had a condition that severely restricted her mobility, and Wyeth depicted her moving through the field toward the farmhouse.
Is the farmhouse in Christina's World a real place?
Yes, it is the Olson House in Cushing, Maine, where Wyeth spent considerable time painting. The house and surrounding landscape appear in numerous works connected with Christina Olson and her brother Alvaro.
Did Christina Olson pose for the body in the painting?
Olson inspired the subject and setting, but Wyeth used his wife Betsy as the model for the figure's torso. He combined these observations into the final image rather than treating it as a straightforward portrait.
Where is Christina's World displayed?
The 1948 tempera painting belongs to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. MoMA acquired it shortly after its completion, although it may not be on view every day.
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