Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

This incomplete work was meant to be an expansion of the work Dawn Over the City (1929). A folder of the same name contains a number of sketches for the expanded work. One in particular refers to a much later painting:

Use the same ideas as in December Moonrise {1959) of light hitting suddenly here and there.

It is clear from this evidence that Burchfield was interested in revisiting the subject matter later in his career. Elsewhere in the same folder he wrote:

Revive the Dawn Over the city-Giving prominence to the blackened homes of workers-with the city the secondary thing.

This new work would be different, with a new moon breaking through less foreboding clouds. Perhaps this time  the dawn comes for the workers with a glimmer of hope.