In Memoriam

An overgrown cemetery near Buffalo, New York, caught Charles Burchfield’s attention. In his journal, he recorded his emotional reaction to springtime flowers blooming amidst the crumbling setting: “The evening was cloudy and fairly quiet, perfect for my work. I stayed until complete dark, absorbing the feeling of the place. The lilacs were perfect—half opened and shading from rich lavender to strong red-purple pink. The ravishing beauty of the sweet-scented cones of blossoms, yearning toward the sky, only emphasized the sad loneliness of the spot.”

American art scholars consider Burchfield to be one of the most important American watercolorists of the 20th century. He recounted that he was drawn to this cemetery in search of spiritual sustenance, as he struggled with his faith in the wake of the recent deaths of his mother and sister.