March Sunlight 1926 - 1933

Curator: Here we have Charles Burchfield’s watercolor, "March Sunlight," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's beautiful! Such a tranquil scene. The way the river winds feels almost dreamlike. Curator: Burchfield was deeply invested in imbuing landscapes with emotional and symbolic weight. Notice how the early spring light filters through the bare trees, suggesting a sense of renewal. Editor: Absolutely, and the composition reinforces that feeling. The serpentine river divides the terrain, creating layered planes of earth and sky. The brushstrokes become more frenetic as the river approaches, almost like sunlight fracturing on the water's surface. Curator: I think he aims to capture more than light. The landscape, for Burchfield, could reflect inner states, hinting at the profound interconnectedness of nature and the human psyche. Editor: Yes, and his distorted perspective perhaps conveys an intense personal experience of the scene? The formal choices definitely amplify the emotional content. Curator: Exactly! There is a harmony here. I find the landscape speaks to a deeper emotional and psychological experience. Editor: It seems we agree then, that, beyond its tranquil beauty, "March Sunlight" captures the transient moment of springtime.