Sunflower Studies

1917
(American, 1893–1967)
Reproduced with permission from the Charles E. Burchfield Foundation
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

Burchfield developed a language of visual symbols, in which the slumping forms of these sunflowers stood for "Mute Sorrow."

Description

Charles Burchfield made numerous studies of dead sunflowers, focusing on the leaning and twisted forms of the plant. In these drawings, he hoped to capture the contrast of a flower that he saw as “gloriously alive . . . at the height of its vigor . . . [which] nevertheless seems more alive . . . when quite dead.”
Sunflower Studies

Sunflower Studies

1917

Charles Burchfield

(American, 1893–1967)
America, 20th century

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