#8: Christina's World
"It was the year, too, of Christina's World, a haunting portrait by Andrew Wyeth of a crippled woman and a forsaken house on a bleak New England hill…that would become one of the most popular paintings ever done by an American." David McCullough
This painting first came to my attention when I took the MCM 155 class. At first glance, the painting simply pictures a woman lying on the grass staring at a house at the distance. But in fact, it is much deeper than mere appearances. In http://www.ott.zynet.co.uk/polio/lincolnshire/library/drhenry/
christinasworld.html, I found an article in which "Dr. Henry Writes about 'Christina's World' " The woman is disabled and crawling across the fields, trying to get back to her house. Andrew Wyeth's famous painting easily tugs on the heart of the viewers. It is also mysterious as it evokes all kinds of questions, as Dr. Henry says,
"What inspired Wyeth to paint this image of a disabled woman?
Was Christina posing for this painting or was she doing something ordinary for her?
Did Christina have polio? If she had polio and cannot walk, where are her braces,
crutches or even her wheelchair?
Why is she alone in this state of helplessness?
Is she frightened, scared, crying, screaming for help or just determined?
Is she a young woman or even middle aged? Is she even a real person or just an artist's
creation?"
The woman was in fact a real person by the name of Christina Olsen. During 1916, there was a great polio epidemic that left victims paralyzed. Therefore, it is assumed that Christina had polio. Since she was a child, she had a limp that grew more serious as the years went by. By the age of 53, she became accustomed to crawling from place to place as she refused to use a wheelchair. When Wyeth and his wife moved next door to her, Wyeth often saw the woman crawling to her parent's graves and was intrigued by her. He sketched her for his painting "Christina's World," which soon gained worldwide recognition.
After her death, it was realized that her condition was mostly likely a degenerative disorder-although polio may have been a possibility.
It is interesting how Wyeth used this painting to sum up Christinia's life. I see it as a visual autobiography. This is one of the functions of art- to record information about people's lives. Christinia's story is a unique one, full of drama, heartache, optimism and tragedy. We have seen how artists have attempted to show the world something never done before. Wyeth has simply done that with his portrayal of the crippled Christina in this chilling manner. The painting encompasses all emotions- determination... optimism... helplessness... vulnerability... strength... hope. The result is a masterpiece that will remain in our minds and heart forever.
But what is Christina feeling at the moment portrayed in the painting? Dr. Henry makes an interesting response:
"In my mind, if I could call out to Christina in the painting, I imagine her turning her head and responding with a smile."
This painting first came to my attention when I took the MCM 155 class. At first glance, the painting simply pictures a woman lying on the grass staring at a house at the distance. But in fact, it is much deeper than mere appearances. In http://www.ott.zynet.co.uk/polio/lincolnshire/library/drhenry/
christinasworld.html, I found an article in which "Dr. Henry Writes about 'Christina's World' " The woman is disabled and crawling across the fields, trying to get back to her house. Andrew Wyeth's famous painting easily tugs on the heart of the viewers. It is also mysterious as it evokes all kinds of questions, as Dr. Henry says,
"What inspired Wyeth to paint this image of a disabled woman?
Was Christina posing for this painting or was she doing something ordinary for her?
Did Christina have polio? If she had polio and cannot walk, where are her braces,
crutches or even her wheelchair?
Why is she alone in this state of helplessness?
Is she frightened, scared, crying, screaming for help or just determined?
Is she a young woman or even middle aged? Is she even a real person or just an artist's
creation?"
The woman was in fact a real person by the name of Christina Olsen. During 1916, there was a great polio epidemic that left victims paralyzed. Therefore, it is assumed that Christina had polio. Since she was a child, she had a limp that grew more serious as the years went by. By the age of 53, she became accustomed to crawling from place to place as she refused to use a wheelchair. When Wyeth and his wife moved next door to her, Wyeth often saw the woman crawling to her parent's graves and was intrigued by her. He sketched her for his painting "Christina's World," which soon gained worldwide recognition.
After her death, it was realized that her condition was mostly likely a degenerative disorder-although polio may have been a possibility.
It is interesting how Wyeth used this painting to sum up Christinia's life. I see it as a visual autobiography. This is one of the functions of art- to record information about people's lives. Christinia's story is a unique one, full of drama, heartache, optimism and tragedy. We have seen how artists have attempted to show the world something never done before. Wyeth has simply done that with his portrayal of the crippled Christina in this chilling manner. The painting encompasses all emotions- determination... optimism... helplessness... vulnerability... strength... hope. The result is a masterpiece that will remain in our minds and heart forever.
But what is Christina feeling at the moment portrayed in the painting? Dr. Henry makes an interesting response:
"In my mind, if I could call out to Christina in the painting, I imagine her turning her head and responding with a smile."
posted by Miss Elania @ 1:04 PM
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