Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), The Moth and the Thunderclap, 1961; watercolor and charcoal on paper, 36 x 48 inches; Collection of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of Charles Rand Penney, 1994
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, January 20, 1960
Monday, Jan 13, 2014
P.M.—Painted the memory of an incident that took place almost 60 years ago, but which seems still as vivid in my memory as the day it happened long ago. I had been to visit my grandfather with my Uncle Jim. On our return home a heavy wet snow was falling. Just as we neared the corner of Rose and Fourth, there was a flash of lightning and clap of thunder from out of the heavy clouds above. Never having experienced such a thing before, to my childish mind, it seemed like an impossible, miraculous event.
Charles E. Burchfied, January 20, 1960