Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

From the folio, OCTOBER (LYNX & OWL HOUSE IN WOODS) ALSO: “SPRING OR FALL” MOTIFS

                                                                               HOUSE ABANDONED THE INSECTS

A deserted house in the ‘back’ country in late August or early September. Long neglected and suffering from the attacks of all sorts of weather, the house is slowly disintegrating, and half hidden by tall weeds, summer flowers such as asters and goldenrod; trees and other undergrowth, seems to be slowly sinking into the ground.

In a word, it has become a part of nature, a home for insects of all sorts. They seem to be everywhere; black crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, tree crickets, spiders and cicadas, (one spider has found the open doorway a convenient spot to set his trap). From everywhere, from the trees, the grasses and weeds the evening songs are going full strength, blending into a chorus that fills the atmosphere, and ‘colors’ the character of the house.

One gaping window suggests that perhaps an owl is using the empty house as a retreat.

It should be noted that the end of the house, in full evening sunlight is more or less realistic, while it is only in the shadow side, that grotesque fantasy takes over.

Charles Burchfield, Feb. 25, 1962

Text from the Rehn Gallery Archives, 1962, Gift of John Clancy, 1981.17