September Afterglow

Charles Burchfield, September Afterglow: A large sunflower droops over a countryside scene with houses and trees.
Charles Burchfield, September Afterglow

A large sunflower droops over a countryside scene with houses and trees.

Name/Title

September Afterglow

Entry/Object ID

72.35

Description

Best known for his romantic, often fantastic depictions of nature, Burchfield developed a unique style of watercolor painting that reflected his profound respect for nature. He painted scenes that he saw outside of his bedroom window, or in the family’s garden, or on walks in the neighborhood. Half of his lifetime output of art was produced while living in Salem, Ohio. In many of his works he transformed the surroundings of his Ohio hometown into imaginative and otherworldly scenes. Burchfield’s talent was described in 1917 by one of his teachers: "Mr. Burchfield sees nature with keen penetration. To him nothing is commonplace, everything is radiant, with beauty all its own. His pictures shock the observer into looking at nature from a new angle. Burchfield paints not merely what he sees, but what he feels about what he sees. His pictures reflect states of mind induced by experiences with the outside world. His pictures reflect moods." Throughout his life, Burchfield went through sudden and dramatic mood swings, from happiness to near-suicidal despair. His journal suggests that this condition had physical effects, which at times altered his perception of the world around him.

Made/Created

Artist

Charles Burchfield

Date made

1949

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Frame size

Height

37-1/4 in

Width

30-11/16 in

Dimension Description

Object size

Height

19-1/2 in

Width

13-1/2 in