Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Take note of all the variations of light in Forest Fire in Moonlight. Foremost, the radiant interior of a fallen tree burns with intensely white light, rimmed at the edges with yellow and orange. Flames rip through the top surface spewing white, golden, orange and black embers into swirls of smoke. Smoldering embers spill on the ground, almost as if a dying tree spirit has spit them out. The heat is so intense that nearby trees reflect the orange glow and flying embers ignite upper branches. In the distance, a small isolated cabin with a lit window is reflected in a still pool of water. Its tranquil existence is threatened by a rim of white-hot flames not far away. The moon encircled by rings of various cool tones of gray floats like a giant Redon eye balloon in the ashen evening sky. Its silver light, a reflection of sunlight, coolly balances the fire’s blazing heat. — Nancy Weekly