Christina's World: A Conversation with Author Christina Baker Kline and Chief Curator of the Farnsworth Art Museum Michael K. Komanecky

Description

Join author Christina Baker Kline and Chief Curator of the Farnsworth Art Museum Michael K. Komanecky as they discuss the painting “Christina’s World” by Andrew Wyeth, during a conversation moderated by art writer Carl Little on Monday, August 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom with the Jesup Memorial Library. Kline will discuss her interpretation of “Christina’s World” as an author and Komanecky will focus on the painting’s and Wyeth’s impact from the art world.
 
Kline is the author of bestselling book “A Piece of the World,” a work of fiction that focuses on Christina Olson, the woman hauntingly depicted in “Christina’s World.” In the book she weaves fact with fiction and brings Olson to life focusing on what Olson’s life was like and her connection with Wyeth. Kline spent three years researching Olson, Wyeth and immersing herself in “Christina’s World” as she wrote “A Piece of the World.” Komanecky is the Chief Curator of the Farnsworth Art Museum. The Farnsworth owns the Olson House, which is the subject of numerous works of art by Wyeth, including “Christina’s World.” Wyeth’s series of drawings, watercolors and tempera paintings featuring Christina Olson, her brother Alvaro and the house itself, occupied Wyeth from 1939 through 1968. 1944, the Farnsworth bought six works by the young artist, and in 1951 mounted a major exhibition of his work. The Farnsworth has more than twenty-five works by Wyeth as well as examples by other artist-members of the family. The Farnsworth is a museum whose mission is to celebrate Maine’s role in American art, focusing on artists who have lived and/or worked in Maine.
 
Komanecky is Chief Curator at the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine; and former Chief Curator at the Phoenix Art Museum, and author of and contributor to numerous books, including “Andrew Wyeth, Christina's World, and the Olson House.” Kline is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including “The Exiles,” “Orphan Train” and “A Piece of the World.” Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today and Salon. Her newest book “The Exiles” explores the development of Australia from a fresh perspective, telling the story of this fascinating, blood-soaked land and its legacy with the grace, beauty, empathy and insight. “The Exiles” comes out on August 25. Little is the author of more than a dozen art books. He has also published articles and reviews of art in numerous magazines, including Art in America, Art New England and Down East.
 
Attendees can pre-order copies of “The Exiles” through co-sponsor Sherman’s Books. Attendees can purchase the book through their website shermans.com, or by calling 207-288-3161 as well as at their Bar Harbor location at 56 Main St., Bar Harbor. Registration for this event is required. To register fill out the form on the calendar listing of this event at https://jesuplibrary.org/event/wyeth or email kchagnon@jesuplibrary.org.