Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Whirling Leaves in a Black Hollow, 1960; watercolor on paper, 38 x 29 1/2 inches; Private Collection, Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Charles Burchfield, Journals, November 3, 1936
Sunday, Nov 3, 2013
Nov 3- 1936 (Tuesday)
When we came into the drive this morning and I got out of the car, I was struck with the beauty of the dead leaves by our neighbor’s garage- the sort of beauty that is absolute. The soft tones of brown, lavender, yellow brown and reddish brown, with sharp accents of green grass were very satisfying. Later I watched whirling leaves in sunlight- and it was revealed to me suddenly that it was not the leaves and sunlight, but beautiful abstract colors in motion, in ordered movement. The whole world from that tiny event was all at once re-created.
Charles E. Burchfield, November 3, 1936