Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)Illuminated letter “O”
ca. 1912
gouache on paper
11 ¼ x 4 ¾ inches
Charles E. Burchfield Foundation Archives, Gift of the Charles E. Burchfield Foundation, 2006
Burchfield chooses in this design to integrate the letterform within the scene. The color palette is more subtle, making the broad-lined frame less constraining. Circular shapes in the floral pattern echo the letterform, while the stylized leaves are permitted to overgrow the “O.”
Content developed by Tullis Johnson, Brian Grunert and Kyle Morrisey for the exhibition Charles E. Burchfield: By Design