Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), The Moth and the Thunderclap, 1961; watercolor and charcoal on paper, 36 x 48 inches; Collection of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of Charles Rand Penney, 1994
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals , December 10, 1916
Friday, Dec 10, 2021
Last night I dreamt [sic] I sat at a window watching a thunderstorm. Between two piles of thunder clouds I saw a crimson snake of lightning wriggle down and suddenly swoop out towards me; as I watched I felt a tremendous fear & saw it strike a distant house; the force of the explosion knocked me prostrate, & I lay stunned for several minutes. This was so realistic that I can yet experience my feeling.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 10, 1916