Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Eye of God in the Woods (Burchfield intended to change the title to Presence of God in a Woods in 1962), 1949-(1962); watercolor and charcoal on joined paper, 47 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches; Collection of the Vatican Museums, Vatican City; Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Two weeks spent in hospital for operation. What at first threatened to be a period of ennui produced by idleness turned out to be most productive – After the third day I could read and sketch. Later my room was changed to one on the south, where out over the fields & woods, I could watch the play of sunlight in the clouds. Here I sketched, dreamed, and read at will. I finished the marvelous “Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists”, and became acquainted with Hugo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
There lying in bed I enjoyed almost complete isolation from the outside world, taking refuge in the books, or seeing the Elysian Fields in the landscape outside –
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 28, 1915