Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Cattaraugus Canyon (March Canyon), 1933-57; watercolor, gouache, and charcoal on joined paper, mounted on board, 39 ¾ x 54 inches; DC Moore Gallery, New York
To Gowanda –
Lunch in a little maple grove near the canyon – yellow violets among the dead leaves – overhead tall budless maples gleaming with cold sunlight – spring beauties – the wonder of this miracle is reborn –
A cloud comes over the sun – the air is chilled at once – a foreboding comes over the grove – the hepaticas tremble gently a wind rises suddenly and sweeps thru the tree-tops with a soft roar – then with a rush comes back the sun from the cloud’s livid edge – the wind dies away – warmth pervades all space –
Oh beauty! Why cannot such moments come oftener and last longer?
Charles E. Burchfield, April 12, 1933