Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

In his index of drawings and prints, Burchfield wrote: "This design and 'The Heavens' and 'Deserted City were done at the instigation of Frank J. Lankes (brother of the artist) who contemplated publishing the 'Lamentations of Jeremiah' using woodcuts as illustrations. This project was never carried out." In correspondence among the artists, however, they also discuss illustrating "Ecclesiastes." The subject of this print relates to "Ecclesiastes," chapter 1, verse 6: "The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits."