# Christine — His Masterpiece character guide > Christine in His Masterpiece by Émile Zola. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Madame Christine **First appearance:** 0001-his-masterpiece ## Snapshot A lonely young woman who drifts into Claude's studio and becomes both his model and his anchor, Christine loves a man whose first loyalty will always be to paint. ## Who they are Alone in a sleepy provincial household, Christine craves friendship and takes her first day out straight to the studio of the strange painter she cannot forget. She finds herself already on his canvas, sprawled nude in the grass with her own features, and the recognition wounds her as much as it binds her to him. Her visits to Sandoz's Thursdays, her quiet interventions with Claude's friends, and her growing fear of the picture that consumes him make her the story's most clear-eyed witness to what art costs. ## Relationships ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _romantic_ Christine is Claude's devoted but suffering lover and later wife, trapped in a toxic relationship dominated by his artistic obsession. ### [Sandoz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/sandoz) _friendship_ Christine and Sandoz have a cordial, sympathetic friendship, as Sandoz is one of the few who understands her suffering with Claude. ### [Little Jacques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/little_jacques) _family_ Christine is the devoted mother of Little Jacques, her son with Claude, and her love for him is her only solace in a miserable marriage. ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _romantic_ Christine is Claude's devoted but suffering lover and later wife, trapped in a toxic relationship dominated by his artistic obsession. ### [Claude Lantier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/claude_lantier) _romantic_ Christine is Claude's devoted but suffering lover and later wife, trapped in a toxic relationship dominated by his artistic obsession. ### [Sandoz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/sandoz) _friendship_ Christine and Sandoz have a cordial, sympathetic friendship, as Sandoz is one of the few who understands her suffering with Claude. ### [Little Jacques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/little_jacques) _family_ Christine is the devoted mother of Little Jacques, her son with Claude, and her love for him is her only solace in a miserable marriage. ### [Sandoz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/sandoz) _friendship_ Christine and Sandoz have a cordial, sympathetic friendship, as Sandoz is one of the few who understands her suffering with Claude. ## In the story ### [His Masterpiece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/his-masterpiece) Claude's partner, who supports him but faces neglect and emotional strain due to his fixation on his work. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/i) Christine is a young woman from Clermont who has come to Paris to work as a companion. She is modest, quick to dress, and determined to leave alone, though she shares a moment of laughter with Claude. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/ii) Not physically present, but Claude uses a sketch of her head to remodel the principal female figure in his painting, hiding the sketch when Sandoz arrives. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/iv) Gradually becomes accustomed to Claude's art, agrees to pose for the head of the figure, but feels growing sorrow as her likeness fades from the painting. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/vi) Tries to support Claude and share his passion for painting, but feels increasingly alienated by his obsession. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/viii) Shares Claude's hopes and disappointments, but grows increasingly sad and neglected; she sacrifices herself and transfers her motherly affection from Jacques to Claude. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/ix) Accepts the sovereignty of art, poses as a model for Claude, and suffers jealousy of the painted image that rivals her. ### [The Salon's Triumph and Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/x) Christine kisses Claude goodbye and urges him not to worry, showing her anxiety and support before he leaves for the Salon. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xi) Lives in fear of Claude's condition; asks Sandoz to take Claude out; attends Sandoz's Thursdays hoping to brighten Claude's spirits. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/chapters/xii) Confronts Claude about his obsession with painting, expressing her jealousy and despair; later finds him dead and collapses. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters/christine - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_masterpiece_se/characters