Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Constant Leaf, also known as The Steadfast Leaf, 1960; watercolor and graphite on paper, 39 x 29 1/4 inches (Frame: 46 7/8 x 37 x 1 3/4 inches); Estate of Dr. Edna M. Lindemann, 2007
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, January 23, 1960
Friday, Jan 23, 2015
P.M.—painted the “Constant (or Stedfast [sic]) Leaf”—a tribute to an oak leaf that became anchored in Cottrell’s lawn in Nov. 1957, and stayed there upright through every storm—I saw in it a symbol of the need of holding fast to my faith in spite of my affliction—(In March [1958] Bertha went out and got it—The stem was embedded in the ground over an inch—we put it in a book to preserve it).
Charles E. Burchfield, January 23, 1960