CHARLES EPHRAIM BURCHFIELD (1893-1967)

On August 15, 1942, Charles Burchfield wrote in his journal, "...I felt the need of getting out and doing some painting so strongly that after lunch, I hurriedly gathered together my stuff, packed a lunch, and went out. South thru Boston Valley to the Genesee Rd, thence eastward to the Pratham Rd, north on it to first road and turning east. Here I found my subject in a little lone farmhouse, framed in by the half-arch of a maple, close by the road." (C.E. Burchfield, Journals, August 15, 1942, Burchfield Penney Art Center, The Charles E. Burchfield Archives)

Ancient Maples in August recalls this scene from the artist's day exploring rural Ohio. His penchant for presenting ordinary subjects in extraordinary ways is revealed in the present work, in which a pair of maple trees form a window, their canopy almost roof-like, as if to emulate the farmhouse in the distance. As they watch over the land, the trees' character is emphasized by their wrinkles and imperfections like two aging people.

Burchfield continued in his journal, "The tree that I included in my picture, was the last of a row, behind which the land ascended upward abruptly, composed mostly of pasture and wooded tracts. The sound of various obscure activities came from this area - the screen of trees was so dense, that I could only see small portions of the scene beyond. There was the clank of some sort of machinery, men's voices, and occasionally the bawling of a young heifer; which had a contrivance about its neck to prevent it sucking. Later in the afternoon, one of the men apparently was trying to bring the cows in to be milked, and it called for a lot of shouting, running, and cursing. Far from being annoying, these vague goingson, seemed only to make the whole area behind the tree screen one of mystery." (C.E. Burchfield, Journals, August 15, 1942)