Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Indian Summer, 1941; watercolor with black pencil and touches of white pencil on white laminate board, 23 7/8 x 36 1/8 inches; Wichita Art Museum, John W. and Mildred L. Graves Collection, 1997.11
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 44, November 16-24, 1942
Saturday, Nov 16, 2013
The Metropolitan “Artists for Victory” jury meeting….Many times, when there were long stretches of dull pictures, I had to fight sleep. Of the number we retained — I remember that many of them gave me great pleasure and stimulation — but I do not recall that there were any really great pictures among them – Perhaps it is not easy to recognize “great” pictures under such circumstances. I find it hard to recall specific pictures. When my own “Indian Summer” came up by mistake, I was distinctly disappointed in it, and embarrassed. (Not that I mention it as a possible “great” picture I missed (!) but only that I thought it was better than it seemed at that moment.)
Charles E. Burchfield, November 16-24, 1942