Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Study for Solitude, 1946; conté crayon on paper, Overall: 10 3/4 x 17 in. (27.3 x 43.2 cm) Frame: 17 1/4 x 23 1/4 in. (43.8 x 59.1 cm); The Charles Rand Penney Collection of Work by Charles E. Burchfield, 1994
Charles E. Burchfield Journals, January 16 - 23, 1946
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022
Jan. 16-23 – Thurs. to Thurs. –
Days of doubt & indecision in regard to my painting. I cannot even get started. Study pictures in process and do some mounting.
The weather turned even again with some snow.
Jan. 21 – B & I to gallery to see the “rescued” Dutch paintings (Hitler’s loot), met Ritchie – he showed us three new acquisitions. One was a reclining nude carved in wood by Zorach. When he went to return it to the vault he slung it completely over his shoulder holding one end with his hand, looking for all the world like an adagio act – I could not keep from telling him so, he laughed heartily, but as he did so, he started to blush, until his face was fiery red.
Jan. 22 – B C & I to hear the St. Olaf’s College Choir in an all sacred concert. Very beautiful and thrilling. One of the basses was so deep as to seem incredible. In one piece his voice in combination with the rest, invoked a mystical landscape, in which the presence of God was felt in a group of sturdy trees, with an awes inspiring solemnity.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, January 16 - 23, 1946