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
Charles Burchfield, Journals, December 28, 1915
Monday, Dec 28, 2020
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