Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), New Life, 1919-1963; watercolor on paper, 18 3/8 x 24 3/4 inches (Frame: 26 1/2 x 33 inches); Gift of the Burchfield Foundation, 1975
A Powerful day – not a cloud – 10:00 To Lakeview Cemetery sketching.
At Monument Looking out over hazy city – wind blowing trees air tinkles with songs of chewinks + wrens – overlapping trees facing sun – I recall that last Monday was the first I had seen a morning for several years –
As I sit here I dream – My impressions are constantly growing more & more up to my ideals –
Booming white obelisk against the violet sky – sound of wind in trees – Hazy city seems like a a lake – Catholic bells ringing in Little Italy –
Wind-battered yellow butterflies up against side of monument – white kites like birds – boat inching along over the distant pale green lake –
In Grants tomb – to top of tower – the view – mens voices in tower sounds like rumbling thunder – I catch myself whistling a lively tune – After all there was no dead in the tomb – I think, or if so, I doubt not but the austere surroundings got on his nerves once in a while & my levity was not unwelcome –
Home thru the heat-hazed streets –
Charles Burchfield, June 5, 1915