Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 15, 1950

The Rome Jury – (Held at Condi-lite Corp, B-way & 19th). Watty, Ben Shahn, Peter Blume the other three – Geo. Grosz was ill.

A not too exciting group of applicant (sic) – about 80, cut down by W. from 140

Lunch at Giovanni’s on 55th St. Chicken with broccoli – very delicious.

Mr. Roberts sounded me out on whether I would like to be artist in residence in Rome sometime – unable ever to say no, I pretended more interest than I felt, and said “it was worth thinking about. The Acad. in Rome scholarships are flexible (3, 6 – 9 mo etc.) but the rate per month declines as the time increases – (that is 3 months is $500 per, but less for 6 or 9). Transportation & housing quarters are provided). He said the best scholarship was the Fulbright, 6 months minimum, and $5000 for 9 months.)

The two scholarships eventually fell to Lasker and Drumlevitch. Unknown to each of us, we all had secretly picked the same two, and wasted a lot of time eliminating possibilities one by one, when all along we knew whom we wanted. So it ended very peacefully indeed.

Dinner & evening with [Frank Rehn] discussing the exhibition etc.

Altho my train had been “changed” to 11:40 instead of 11:10, due to the coal crisis, nevertheless I felt it safer to be on hand by 11:00 & it was well I did – for it pulled out as usual at 11:10. –

Charles E. Burchfield, February 15, 1950