Burchfield, Charles Ephraim (American, 1893-1967) American artists

The composition presents a nocturnal landscape dominated by a palette of ochres, browns, and muted greens, punctuated by occasional bursts of pink and white. Here we see a small waterfall cascading into a pool of water, the movement suggested through agitated brushstrokes and a shimmering effect on the surface. The water’s flow originates from an elevated area, partially obscured by dense foliage and rocky terrain.
The artist depicted a sense of enclosure; towering trees frame the scene on either side, their branches intertwining to create a claustrophobic canopy overhead. These trees are rendered with thick impasto, emphasizing their texture and imposing presence. The light source appears to be external to the immediate environment, casting long shadows and creating an atmosphere of mystery and subdued drama.
A small cluster of pink flowers draws the eye towards the foreground, offering a delicate contrast to the somber tones that pervade the rest of the scene. These blooms seem almost luminous against the darker backdrop, suggesting a fragile beauty existing within a more imposing natural world.
The overall impression is one of quiet solitude and introspection. The absence of human figures contributes to this feeling, reinforcing the sense that the viewer is observing a private moment in nature. Theres an underlying tension between the tranquility of the water and the oppressive weight of the surrounding forest. This suggests a subtext concerning the power of nature, its capacity for both beauty and potential threat. The painting evokes a dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, hinting at a psychological landscape as much as a physical one.