Anna Walinska Painting Features in Best Medicine
The abstract artwork The Earth Bears Witness is now a key set piece in the second season of the Fox series.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Fine Art
The Earth Bears Witness, a 1956 abstract painting by artist Anna Walinska, currently appears in the second season of the Fox series Best Medicine. The work is featured in the office of the show's lead character, Martin Best.
Why it matters
The painting was incorporated into the set to provide the doctor's office with a more modern and sophisticated visual aesthetic. Its inclusion highlights the role of fine art in shaping the atmosphere of prestige television productions.
The painting was part of a larger 1979 exhibition featuring 92 other works by Walinska. The piece was previously excluded from the 2023 miniseries White House Plumbers before finding its place in the current television season.
The players
Anna Walinska
An artist who lived from 1906 to 1997 and created the abstract work featured in the series.
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
The institution that acquired the painting for its permanent collection in 2024.
Fox
The network responsible for the production and airing of the series Best Medicine.
The details
The show's production designer selected the piece after viewing a print of it within the production offices. The team subsequently redecorated the set of the lead character's office to prominently display the abstract work.
Timeline
Anna Walinska created The Earth Bears Witness in 1956.
The painting was first exhibited publicly in 1979.
The series White House Plumbers was released in 2023.
The painting joined the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts collection in 2024.
The second season of Best Medicine began airing in September 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The use of specific, historically significant art in television reflects a broader trend of production designers curating sets to enhance the visual prestige of prestige dramas. This move mirrors the legacy established by the 1979 public exhibition of Anna Walinska works in elevating the artist's profile in contemporary media.
Viewers can observe the painting as part of the office set throughout the second season of the series currently airing on Fox. The work itself remains accessible to the public as part of the permanent collection at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The takeaway
Selecting established art for set design can significantly influence the character and mood of a televised environment. Enthusiasts can explore the intersection of interior design and fine art by identifying featured pieces in their favorite shows.
Further reading
Learn more about local exhibits and collections in the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Art Newspaper.
