Charles Ephraim Burchfield (American, 1893-1967) Night in Gardenville

Description:

Charles Ephraim Burchfield (American, 1893-1967)

Night in Gardenville
Monogrammed and dated "…/1937" l.l.
Ink and watercolor on heavy pressed paperboard, 15 1/4 x 20 in. (38.7 x 50.8 cm),framed.
Condition: Toning, minor soiling, and scattered fox marks all evident in margins of board (the composition measures 10 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.),board affixed to window mat with adhesive along upper edge.

Provenance: Gift from the artist to his neighbor in West Seneca, New York; by descent to the current private collection, Massachusetts.

N.B. Charles Burchfield painted this eerie late fall scene at a time when his career was in full swing. The Museum of Modern Art had mounted an exhibition of his early work in 1930 (the first single-artist exhibition ever held at MoMA),and he had been represented by the Frank K.M. Rehn Galleries in New York since 1929. After moving to Gardenville, New York, a village near Buffalo, in 1925, his neighborhood became the primary subject of his artworks. Burchfield used his bold, modernist handling of watercolor to depict his environs in each season. Here, he contrasted the barren trees and lingering snow of late autumn with the warm golden light of a welcoming homestead. Twinkling stars peek out through an evening sky filled with dark, stylized clouds. Burchfield explored the natural environment and seasonal change throughout his career, an interest that culminated in his late work, The Four Seasons (1949-60, Krannert Art Museum),which unites all of the seasons into one composition.
Estimate $15,000-20,000

Framed dimensions: 16 1/4 x 20 1/4 in.

Pencil inscriptions to reverse possibly relate to framing and matting.

No additional condition issues to report.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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