Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Volume 48, March 18, 1947

[Trip to New York to serve on the Guggenheim exhibition jury]
     Tues. Evening – to Root’s for dinner. Mrs. Force, and another couple, (some architect & his wife). Mrs. Root’s colossal snobbery always puts me on edge, and I cannot be as cordial as I ought to be, when a guest. — Mr. R. is quiet, and very genuine. He has always had money, & takes it for granted. Mrs. R. did not have it until she married him & is very conscious of it. After Mrs. Force arrived, Mrs. R. left the room for a moment. When she returned, Mrs. F. asked why Edward was buying abstract art (which he is doing almost exclusively) — Evidently Mrs. R. thought we had been discussing it in her absence for she said sarcastically “Oh, we don’t intend to stay in the Rehn Gallery all our life” — And repeated it again.
     Dinner was hectic for me because, shortly after we were seated Mrs. R. & Mrs. F. started discussing Rehn & the Gallery. Anxious to hear what they were saying I am afraid I was rude to my companion, who once had to remind me subtly that I had not said anything to her for some time! Result was I was not a good companion, nor could I make out what was being said across the table.
     Evening in the apartment. Once Mrs. R. answered that the older she got, the less she believed in an afterlife. When Mrs. X said, “but what about those who have nothing in this life but misery or poverty, shouldn’t they have something to look forward to?” To which Mrs. R. made the following incredible reply: “I suppose it’s all right for them, but as for me, well, you see, I have mine here & now” —
     Edward showed some of his recent acquisitions, all abstracts. — One in particular I like, by Tobey. Abstracts are fine for people who have all the material benefits, and who wish to avoid all unpleasant contacts with the world. Abstract art offers a complete escape.
Charles E. Burchfield, March 18, 1947