Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Charles E. Burchfield documented in his Painting Index that the painting features the “Chippewa Market, Buffalo, N.Y.” When I have given tours of sites that Burchfield painted, I pointed out that the view is of the “Corner of Chippewa Street at Genesee Street—the Chippewa Market.” I also offer this information:

The Chippewa Market was a popular venue for fresh food and other goods. The tall spire of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church (1864) on Washington Street was diminished after fire damage in 1962, 21 years after the painting was finished. The market's charm is recorded in Burchfield's journal entry of March 13, 1941:  "P.M. to Buffalo for studies—and to the market.  The market is a never-ending source of delight to me—the abstract beauty of food!  At the cured meat & dairy stall—a huge sausage, dark mottled maroon tones, with white veins running over it—what a delightful 'prop' for a still life!  I watched one of the men slicing bacon and placing it, as is the custom, in such a way that all the meaty edges show in succession—beautiful red & white stripes—Then there are bins of beans—black, red, black-eyed, white, peas, lentils, etc.—I must get some to put under glass.  They strike some forgotten impression of my boyhood."

Nancy Weekly, Burchfield Scholar, Burchfield Penney Art Center, 2019