In Christina's World, Wyeth used muted colours to convey the serenity of being limited to a country setting. The light between the house and the barn is the brightest point of the painting and Christina directs her head upwards towards it. Christina appears mesmerised by her rural setting, a hint of breeze caressing her loose strands of hair as she gazes towards her home, completely captivated. The brightest part of the sky seems to beckon Christina like a heavenly white light.

A lone figure in vast farmlands, Christina is quite vulnerable to the rugged environment, but braves it anyway to enjoy the beauty of the scene and her freedom. The landscape is largely dry and barren but has a softness to it which is strangely inviting. An otherwise daunting scene radiates a sense of safety to the viewer. The inclusion of a "crippled" young girl transforms the setting to something accomodating and approachable.

Christina's World is about familiarity trumping fear. Wyeth has captured the feeling of home and the wonder of youth. The figure of Christina is physically limited but also in the enviable position of appreciating the things she does have.

Christina Olson died in 1969. She had lived in the house her entire life. Neighbors say she had no idea that her small world had become famous.

Christina's World is now displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Andrew Wyeth passed away 16 January, 2009, aged 91.

"In the portraits of that house, the windows are eyes or pieces of the soul, almost," Wyeth said. "To me, each window is a different part of Christina's life."