Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

A playful contrast in scale is one way that Burchfield gave agency to insects in his artworks. He brings us down to their size to stimulate empathy for their perspective of the world. Depicted here: Field Cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus) 5/8–1” (15-25 mm) Common song is a series of triple chirps. Courtship song is a continuous trill at a pitch near the upper limits of audibility for the human ear. In courtship the male dances about and “sings” to excite the female. (NW, 2026)

From the folder “1917 – UNFINISHED / ALSO – FROG TWILIGHT – 1944-53 NOTES – ALSO SQUASH BLOSSOMS / 1917 – to be mounted (Frog / Foundry Hill / Rose St.)”