Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), The Fragrance of Spring (Bee Hepaticas), c. 1962; watercolor, charcoal, and chalk on Bee watercolor paper mounted on board, 38 x 29 inches; The Spiro Family Collection, courtesy of Debra Force Fine Art, New York
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 58, January 9, 1957
Saturday, Jan 31, 2015
One day last week we went to see Walt Disney’s new photographic essay on Nature – “Secrets of Live” – which is one of his finest, revealing many hitherto (to me), unknown facts about seeds, and the propagation of fish. Of especial beauty for me, of course was the incident of showing hepaticas pushing up out of dead leaves, and growing into full bloom. Apparently such plants are never quite [quiet], but move to[o] slowly for us to see with the unaided eye. By speeding up the process, they were seen to sway back and forth as if in ecstasy. The speeded up picture of wild cucumber vines, made them apparent like serpents, swaying and writhing, looking for a place to fasten to.
Charles E. Burchfield, January 9, 1957